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Listed here you will find print and electronic titles CNW highly recommends. Some were written by CNW members; but not all. For your convenience, each title is linked to its listing on amazon.com (if it's available there) and/or other Web sites.
Prices may not be current. If you discover a changed price, please let us know at editor@writers-editors.com
Ready, Aim, Specialize! -- Second Edition by Kelly James-Enger Sub-title: Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money. Written by CNW member Kelly James-Enger, whose articles have appeared in FWR. Even if you aren't interested in specializing, the two early chapters on The All-Important Query and A Case Study are well worth investing in the book. In her Query chapter, Kelly provides an in-depth treatment of query letters including from her own experiences, ideas where the query did not work (and why) followed by a revised query that did work (and why). Kelly's Case Study follows one of her early fitness articles, from initial idea through query, follow-up, phone call with editor, research, writing, editor's suggestions, revision, payment, and publication. Kelly also discusses the reasons for specializing and what you need to do so. Specialties covered: Health, Diet/Food, Business/Finance, Technology, Parenting, Travel, Fitness/Sports, Essays/Personal Pieces, Home & Garden, and Profiles/True-Life Features. $16.95; Amazon offers it for $12.71.
The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print, and Sell Your Own Book, 15th Edition (Completely Revised) by Dan Poynter, Para Publishing; (800) PARAPUB; www.ParaPublishing.com or only $12.97 from Amazon. Considered the bible of self-publishing. More than 40% of the text in this edition is new. Covers publishing options, how to write a salable book, starting your own publishing company, producing your book (designing, printing), announcing your book, setting prices and discounts, promoting your book, marketing, distribution channels, advertising your book, fulfillment (moving your books out the door), coping with being published (what do you do now?). Appendixes include an invaluable "Your Book's Calendar" (to-do checklist) and resources for publishers. If you're considering self-publishing (including print-on-demand or POD), this is a must-have.
1001 Ways to Market Your Books, 6th Edition by John Kremer, Open Horizons; www.bookmarket.com. If you have even one published or soon-to-be published book to promote, you need this book on your desk and you need to use it daily
if you want to sell books. Although primarily targeted to book publishers, John includes more than 100 market-ing tips specifically for authors. And remember, if you have a POD book, you are really the publisher as well as the author. Among the topics covered: basic fundamentals of marketing, planning; credit card, fax and phone orders; how to open new markets, market savvy editing, designing your book as a sales aid, publicizing your books, advertising your books, offbeat advertising, how to sell your books via computer, getting distribution, working with bookstores, selling through other retail outlets, selling to schools and libraries, how to sell subsidiary rights, selling your books overseas, special sales, how authors can capitalize on their books.
The Author's Companion: A Self-Guided Course on Book Promotion with Christine Louise Hohlbaum, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, (541) 964-3314; info@WyMacPublishing.com; www.wymacpublishing.com/wm.html. CD-Rom, 4 audio files plus pdf workbook, 70 pages. $249. In the audio mp3 files, Christine Hohlbaum (author, PR consultant and seminar leader) interviews several best-selling authors on the specifics of how they promoted their books. Topics covered include press releases, press kits, sell sheets, book signings, a book marketing plan, using amazon.com, e-letters, radio interviews, and more. The pdf course book includes 200+ links to helpful Web sites, as well as worksheets with specific questions and answers to follow. The course book's four parts: Author's Toolbox, Beyond the Book Review, ABC's of Pitching to the Media, Success What Do I Do When They Say "Yes!"
$IX Figure Freelancing by CNW Member Kelly James-Enger (Random House, 2005). Paperback, $14.95 (only $10.17 at Amazon). Although targeted to the writer thinking about building a six-figure writing business, the samples and examples from Kelly and a number of other highly successful freelancers will be of interest also to the already established writer. While other high-income writing books concentrate on corporate work, this one touches on that, but shows how real writers earn $100,000+ concentrating on magazine and book writing. Chapter topics include: planning and negotiating for more money, designing effective writing templates, getting more out of mate-rial, time management techniques; working with agents, experts, and other writers; and more.
Outwitting Writer's Block: and Other Problems of the Pen by Jenna Glatzer, The Lyons Press (Guilford, CT), www.LyonsPress.com or amazon.com, 250 pages, published 2003. Jenna Glatzer weaves humor into all her 23 chapters. She tells writers to eliminate clutter, get rid of self-doubt and to wipe any fear of writing off the face of the earth. She gives tips on how to overcome all the blues writers might face. Writing is a lonely profession and she offers sage advice on how to deal with writing realities. She paints the writing life picture in an unusual perspective offering "prompts" every few pages. Even if you are the type who is adamant about never writing in books, you'll find yourself underlining tips before you hit chapter 3. Outwitting Writer's Block is fun to read, partly because authors are quoted throughout. They share personal stories about how they learned the ropes, increased assignments and found their genres. If you listen to Glatzer, you'll find yourself carrying around a notebook and making daily journal entries. Every writer needs a bit of Feng Shui for the soul and Glatzer is the guru to provide it. (Review written by Roberta Beach Jacobson, www.travelwriters.com/Roberta
Blueprint for Travel Writing That Sells by John Longford, Hermitage Media. PDF format, 69 pages. $14.99 (both Blueprints $19.97). The basics of publishable writing; can be applied to other nonfiction genres in addition to travel articles. Among the topics covered: Six questions your article should answer. The secret structure of a well written article - successful templates you can copy. Nine secrets of writing a saleable article every time. Powerful opening leads that work. What does the reader want to know? Simple writing errors you must avoid. How to take your readers to the location. Why it is imperative you show your readers rather than tell them. Getting from rough notes to the first draft, and editing your work.
Blueprint to Travel the World For Free as a Published Travel Writer by John Longford, Hermitage Media. PDF format, 59 pages. $14.99 (both Blueprints $19.97). Overview of perks for travel writers. Among the topics covered: What benefits you can expect to receive. How to use press officers and press lists. How to identify the right office to contact. The advantage of contacting niche groups. How to make and phrase your initial approach to service providers. How to use assignment letters and commission letters. The one little secret that can greatly improve your chances of having your request granted. Sample approach letters you can copy and use immediately. Why you shouldn't accept every press trip you are offered. The three secrets of getting hosted for free, and how to use them.
101 Tips on Writing and Selling Your First Novel by Prudy Taylor Board - novelist, FFWA Advisor and successful writing instructor. Includes writing exercises and fill-in blank sections to help you develop characters and plot, plus polish your writing. 101 Tips is both text and workbook, yet fun to read and crammed with practical pointers to help you write and sell your novel. Available from Amazon for $14.95.
The Publishing Game: Find an Agent in 30 Days by Fern Reiss, www.PublishingGame.com. If you want a blueprint to follow in addition to the why and how, you will find this book invaluable. No fluff; simply step 1, 2, 3
plus tips, shortcuts, and what to do, what not to do. Gives you daily assignments, which you can do in the outlined 30 days, or in 30 days spread out over several months. Appendixes include a listing of 300+ agents with addresses, and a sample proposal. Available from Amazon for $19.95
The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days by Fern Reiss, www.PublishingGame.com. Thinking of self-publishing? Even if you're considering one of those online all-done-for-you systems, read this book first to see what they leave out and what is really involved. Same format as the above "Agent" title in the series, this one will lead you step-by-step through the process with 30 daily to-do lists (set out as 5 each week, over six weeks). Along the way, you'll learn how to keep from making costly mistakes and where not to short-change yourself. Includes a sample budget. Available from Amazon for $13.97
The Publishing Game: Bestseller in 30 Days by Fern Reiss, www.PublishingGame.com. If you're really serious about selling your book to readers, here is a plan to follow. Perfect timing if your book is due to arrive from the printer in a couple months. But even if your book is already published, you can still follow many of the steps. And if you have a regular publisher, they will have done a couple of the steps. But as you know, you're going to have to do most of it yourself regardless of who publishes it. If you do everything, it will likely take you longer than 30 days, but at least this give you 30 stepping-off days to give you a running start. Available from Amazon for $15.96
CNW member Patricia L. Fry offers an e-book for writers The Successful Writer's Handbook. Covers how to crush writer's block, where to find writing work even during an economic downturn, and how to manage the business of writing. 131 pages; only $9.95. Available at www.booklocker.com/books/771.html or from Patricia's Web site www.matilijapress.com (you can see her many other print and PDF books there also). The new print version of The Successful Writers Handbook has been revised and expanded into a 180-page book. It's $15.95, and available at www.matilijapress.com and at Amazon.com.
FFWA member Christine Adamec's newest book on writing is Writing Freelance. Includes: Is Writing For You? The Writer's Mindset. Finding Clients for Your Work, Researching, Taking Care of Business, Getting Paid. Appendix includes Resources, Samples, Worksheets, Checklist for taking on a ghostwriting project. Midwest Book Review gives it a great review; click on Amazon price to read. Retails for $19.95.
Guerilla Marketing for Writers by Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman & Michael Larsen. Subtitle: 100 Weapons for Selling Your Work. Especially for the book author; offers techniques and strategies for publicizing and selling your book both before it's published and after you have books in hand. Each of the 100 tactics has a cost labeled most are Free, many are Low-cost, a couple are Expensive, and several say "You get paid!" Strategies include networking, talking, promotion planning, media interviews, your media kit, alliances, using technology, using the book itself, writing (brochure, e-zines, columns, op-ed pieces, and more), book signings and festivals, free advertising, memberships, your identity, business cards and stationery, branding. Eight appendices cover marketing weapons for fiction and nonfiction listed in order of importance, finding a publicist, sample media kit, publicity kit timeline, top 100 markets in US, how networks can help you, publicity questionnaire, and a presentation evaluation form. Get it from amazon for $10.49.
Five Fast Steps to Better Writing by CNW member Barbara Florio Graham, ISBN 0-920870-03-1; 110 pages; durable cover; $15 (includes p&h). Mail to: B.F. Graham, 200 Charles St., Gatineau, QC J8P 3X4 CANADA. Note: first class postage from U.S. to Canada is 60 cents. For professionals, amateurs, students, business. "fast-paced, readable...a treasury of valuable information and good ideas" (Canadian Author & Bookman) "apt examples, concise wisdom...worth getting" (The Periodical Writers Association of Canada) "no wasted words...the text is informative and rich..." (The Writer's Journal - U.S.)
Five Fast Steps to Low-Cost Publicity by Barbara Florio Graham. 90 pages, letter size, heavy stock covers, spiral binding; ISSN 0-9694093-0-3; $20 (includes p&h). Mail to: B.F. Graham, 200 Charles St., Gatineau, QC J8P 3X4 CANADA. Note: first class postage from U.S. to Canada is 60 cents. Covers every aspect of promotion and publicity for small business and non-profit organizations; basic information for beginners; reminders for professionals; useful checklists; full-size samples; each page packed with single-spaced guidelines. "The best PR primer we've ever seen...amazingly thorough...We've never met a PR person with a better handle on the industry..." (John Clausen, Editor, Writing for Money) "written in clear, concise language...not only informative but practically indispensable" (Canadian Fund Raiser)
Poor Richard's Web Site (Second Edition) by Peter Kent, 422 pages. $29.95. $20.97 from Amazon. If you haven't set up a Web site to promote your books and/or your editorial services, you're falling behind the competition. I see more and more editors and businesses who are looking for writers or material, saying to point them to the URLs of your sample works. (Even copy editors can show on their Web sites before and after work they have done.) So where do you go to get started? I highly recommend Poor Richard's Web Site as a first step. This one is for all you non-geeks. You'll find a full index and excerpt on Amazon.com, but here are a few of the topics covered (in language you will understand): Finding a Web Host, Designing Your Web Site, Creating an Effective Web Site, Bringing People to Your Web Site.
The Business of Consulting by Elaine Biech. Hardcover, 246 pages. $45 at Amazon. One of the ways for successful freelancers to increase their hourly income is to expand into consulting such as on website content or promotion, general business promotion, newsletters, business communication, and so on. If you're new to the concept, here is an excellent source. Many of the topics can also be applied to freelance writing itself. Covers transition into consulting, pricing, proposals and contracts, cost of doing business, client relationships, marketing, ethics, and more. Includes a disk of documents (in Word 6.0/95) used as examples in the book. (Note: I was able to open a form in WordPerfect 9.0 with no problem. It was longer than one page, but using the "make it fit" feature resulted in a perfect one-page form matching the one in the book.)
Successful Syndication by Michael Sedge. Softcover, 183 pages. $16.95. Amazon has it for $11.87. The most recent worthwhile book on syndication. This one is timely because it includes information on Internet distribution and promotion. It's targeted to both writers and cartoonists. Among the chapters: Finding an agency, Guidelines of various syndicates, Column syndication, Self-syndication, Submissions, Business end, Using the Internet, International sales. 80 pages of appendix resources.
One Word, Two Words, Hyphenated? by Marie Louise Gilman. Keep this one close to your keyboard I do. It΄s a quick reference to 14,000 words and phrases. Perfect tool for editors and proofreaders. Special order from Amazon for $12.95.
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