Archive for June, 2009
Sally Stuart on the responsibility of self-publishing
June 30th, 2009 by Nick CiskeThe vision behind BelieversPress is to provide the tools to help Christians publish books that are equivalent to those of royalty publishers.
From the award winning designers (who also design for large royalty publishers) to printing by Bethany Press (who prints about 30% of the best-selling Christian paperbacks*), to experienced editors (who edit books for major authors) — everything at BelieversPress is designed to help you publish the best possible book.
I ran across this quote from the Advanced Christian Writer column by Sally Stuart (author of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide) that sums it up well:
In the past, I have talked about the change of attitude toward self-published or print-on-demand books within the Christian publishing industry … While it is true
these options are making it possible for more writers to get their books published, that opportunity also brings with it a responsibility to maintain an appropriate level of
professionalism.Although the stigma attached to self-published books is blurring, it is still true that in order for such a book to get equal attention it must also maintain the highest quality of workmanship. For that reason, you must make every effort to produce a product that is equivalent to a royalty-published book.
Doing so means you must pay someone to design an appropriate cover; use quality paper and a reputable printer; and especially pay a well-qualified editor to do a thorough, line-by-line editing of the manuscript. To take shortcuts in any of these areas will lessen your chances of being noticed—and your book bought—once you get to the marketplace.
Ultimately it may also mean that you need to take a realistic look at your project and determine first if you have enough experience and credits to justify producing a book at this point—and then to be sure there is a place and need for it in the market at this time.
* Based on the ECPA best-seller list
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Twitter Marketing: Joining the Conversation
June 26th, 2009 by Kimberly Brock
Twitter has become one of the newest social media tools to hit the Internet providing marketers, bloggers and Internet users a new means to communicate. Even though I had worked in marketing for many years, I have to admit–I was more than reluctant to explore yet one more shiny new Internet tool. Once I did, my head virtually exploded with the possibilities Twitter offers.
From a simple question, “What are you doing?” Twitter connects you with friends, family, coworkers, colleagues and potential customers. In 140 characters or less, I am able to keep my “followers” (those who subscribe to my Twitter feed) updated on my life. For example, I may post that I am having a business lunch in regards to a new product release. I generally tweet about my life, what I am doing professionally, when I am traveling, links to articles that may interest my followers and join in the general Twitter discussion.
If you have been hesitant to join in the Twitter phenomenon, here are some tips to get your started:
- Go to Twitter.com and sign up for an account. If you are doing this for business, it is advisable to use your real name.
- Create your profile page and post a photo of you. You will also want to write up a small bio. Do also link any other pertinent information such as personal and professional websites, blog, linked-in page and any recent write-ups. I do recommend creating a custom background for your page. The website twitterbackgrounds.com has a great selection of FREE designs to choose from. The more people get to know you as an individual, the more likely they are going to return to you or click through to see what you are working on.
- The next big question is “Who do I follow?” You want to start with friends, family, coworkers, and colleagues [Ed- and @BelieversPress too!]. Then go to wefollow.com. WeFollow is a directory of Twitter subscribers. You want to follow tweeple who have similar interests. Twitter, after all, is a social media tool; finding people with similar interests will help facilitate meaningful conversation. [Ed: Check out the ECPA tag for people in the Christian publishing industry]
- Next, I recommend visiting crazybob.org/twubble. “Twubble” is a service developed by Google software engineer Bob Lee. It recommends new Twitter friends to you based upon whom your friends follow. This is a great means of increasing your Twitter bubble (twubble). I have found many great Twitter feeds to subscribe to from this site. [Ed: Mr. Tweet is another popular service that recommends followers]
- Do enter in the conversation. Do not bombard followers with constant posts about your product. Ensure that the content for which you are posting is relevant, interesting and noteworthy so that your subscribers look forward to your posts. It is incredibly tempting as a marketer to want to get the greatest visibility for my product, but posting spam too frequently will turn off my followers and they will no longer click through.
- Encourage conversation. Twitter is not just a source for content. Try posting a thought provoking question, run a survey, or get honest feedback to an idea you have been kicking around. Ask questions that encourage your followers to engage with you.
- Follow relevant Twitter feeds. If I find someone who consistently posts interesting content, I will comment and let them know. This introduces them to my existence and that builds traffic for my campaign as well.
Still need a little nudge to get started on Twitter?
You may want to check out the June 2009 issue of Time Magazine that features an article titled, “How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live.”
Excerpt:
Today the language of advertising is dominated by the notion of impressions: how many times an advertiser can get its brand in front of a potential customer’s eyeballs, whether on a billboard, a Web page or a NASCAR hood. But impressions are fleeting things, especially compared with the enduring relationships of followers. Successful businesses will have millions of Twitter followers (and will pay good money to attract them), and a whole new language of tweet-based customer interaction will evolve to keep those followers engaged: early access to new products or deals, live customer service, customer involvement in brainstorming for new products.
If you would like to follow me, you can find me at @kimberlybrock
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How to get the most out of Twitter and LinkedIn
June 23rd, 2009 by Torrey SharpI am definitely not an expert in social media, SEO, SEM, etc but I’ve realized that I should be making a more deliberate effort to gain knowledge in these areas and explore ways in which to use social media platforms to communicate and relate to clients, peers, friends, and the idustry at large. So, you could say I’m on a quest for enlightenment! And what I’m finding is that I simply cannot afford to remain ignorant in this rapidly changing arena. All these platforms are about communication and broadening the accessibility of communication. In order to stay relevant, stay engaged and continue to meet the needs of an ever changing marketplace, it’s imperative that I remain adequately informed on changing technology and new methods for connecting with the world.
I had the privilege of listening to a seminar by Kent Lewis, president of Anvil Media in Portland, Oregon. He’s on a mission to build Anvil into one of the most respected search engine marketing agencies in the world. Kent believes that Twitter and Linked In are the most powerful of the social media platforms for marketing and reputation management for individuals, executives and companies alike. Here is a great article for all those who want to take your LinkedIn and Twitter profiles to the next level: LinkedIn and Twitter Profile Optimization for Dimwits.
There is plenty more to check out on Anvil’s site as well. I hope you run into some helpful information.
Follow BelieversPress on Twitter, join the group on LinkedIn, or become a fan on Facebook.
Brandilyn Collins has some great posts about Twitter: Ten-Point Twittequette, A Day on Twitter, and Does Twitter Link Authors With New Readers?
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The 10 Biggest Mistakes Made by Christians in Entertainment
June 19th, 2009 by Nick CiskePhil Cooke (author of 4 books and a really sharp guy) just posted a great list of the top 10 mistakes he sees Christians make when they try to break into the entertainment business.
Most apply to publishing as well:
The following list contains the most common mistakes I see with Christians who want to “move to LA” and get a job in the secular entertainment industry. Learn to overcome these 10 areas, and you’ll have a far better chance of success:
1) Explicit Style – Just because we’re Christians, we don’t have to produce explicitly Christian programs. When Jesus told parables, he never mentioned church, and only rarely even mentioned “God.” Learn to be subtle and win the audience with creative and compelling programming. Remember – your first priority is to make a good movie or TV program.
2) Poor Writing – Learn the art of storytelling, whether or not you want to be a writer. Every member of the production team needs to be able to recognize good writing. The fact is – most movies by Christians fail because they’re just not good stories.
3) Being Out of Touch with the Culture – Christian producers often don’t keep up with current TV, movies, internet, or graphic styles. Trends change faster every year, so stay on top of what’s working, and what people are watching.
4) Poor “Branding” – Know the importance of “branding” and how it can work for you personally as well as for the project. You can influence people’s perceptions of you and your projects – so learn the techniques of branding and put them to work for you!
5) Christian “Lingo” – Check the dialogue in most projects written by Christians… We have to dump Christian “lingo” and learn to speak in a language and style this culture understands.
Head over to Phil’s blog to read the other 5 Biggest Mistakes Made by Christians in Entertainment
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Crossing Over — venturing outside the Christian market
June 19th, 2009 by Paul HawleyPeople who looked at this item also looked at...
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CIP, PCIP, PCN, EPCN, and LCCN — What are they and do I need them?
June 17th, 2009 by Nick CiskeCIP
A Cataloging in Publication record (aka CIP data) is a bibliographic record prepared by the Library of Congress for a book that has not yet been published. When the book is published, the publisher includes the CIP data on the copyright page thereby facilitating book processing for libraries and book dealers.
Publishers who have published the works of fewer than three different authors are ineligible. Self-publishers (i.e. authors and editors who pay for or subsidize publication of their own works; who often do not publish the works of more than three different authors; and whose works are rarely widely acquired by the nation’s libraries) are ineligible. Publishers ineligible for the CIP program may be eligible for the Preassigned Control Number Program (PCN).
Source: http://cip.loc.gov/
PCIP
Publishers Cataloging In Publication data is a CIP block prepared by the publisher. It contains the same information as one created by the Library of Congress, but is created by a friendly librarian or paid CIP creation service. It is not recommended that you try to create this data yourself by looking at similar titles. You’ll need a PCN in order to get a complete PCIP block.
PCN (aka EPCN)
A Library of Congress catalog card number (LCCN) is a unique identification number that the Library of Congress assigns to the catalog record created for each book in its cataloged collections. Librarians use it to locate a specific Library of Congress catalog record in the national databases and to order catalog cards from the Library of Congress or from commercial suppliers. The Library of Congress assigns this number while the book is being cataloged. Under certain circumstances, however, a card number can be assigned before the book is published through the Preassigned Card Number Program.
Only U.S. book publishers are eligible to participate in the PCN program. These publishers must list a U.S. place of publication on the title page or copyright page of their books and maintain an editorial office in the U.S. capable of answering substantive bibliographic questions.
Source: http://pcn.loc.gov/
See also: PCN Eligigibly Requirements and the PCN Frequently Asked Questions
The Gist
The Library of Congress (LOC) has two programs it uses to catalog forthcoming books most likely to be widely acquired by U.S. libraries. Widely is the operative word there–if your book is of limited interest to most libraries, aquiring a PCN is of limited value.
The CIP program is for large publishers. The LOC assigns an LCCN and generates a CIP block which is printed on the copyright page. (It’s that big block of numbers and short sentences that looks like a card catalog from your grade school days.)
A PCIP costs money but will make it more likely that a library order your book (as books lacking any CIP data require the library to create it in order to shelve the book).
The EPCN program was created to serve self/independent publishers by pre-assigning them a LCCN (or Pre-Assinged Control Number: PCN). This number is printed on the copyright page (to enable Libraries to look the book up), but the CIP data is not.
Both the CIP and EPCN programs require the publisher to submit free copies of the book for the LOC collection.
The Bottom Line
- Most self-published books don’t qualify for the CIP program.
- Whether you apply for a PCN or not is up to you as the self-publisher/author.
- There’s little cost (a few books and shipping) to apply for a PCN.
- Paying to have a PCIP created will cost around $50-$100.
- Even without a PCN or PCIP, libraries may still order your book if they really want it, but it’s unlikely.
- Most libraries will gladly accept a book donation regardless of whether it has a CIP or PCN. Whether they shelve it or sell it is another matter entirely.
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How Not to Launch Your New Book
June 15th, 2009 by Nick CiskeA funny take on the author who finds himself with a book… but no real plan to market it.
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How to Get The Best (and Your Money’s Worth) Out of Your Cover Designer: Part I
June 10th, 2009 by Terry DuganI hope to offer tips from time to time, from a book designer’s perspective of course, on how to get the creative best out of creative types. I will suggest three for the moment.
First off, let’s dispel some myths about working with artists:
- They’re not all prima donnas, and successful designers are used to a fair amount of direction and even rejection.
- Sometimes they nail it on the first try, usually it’s an interactive process to get to just the right idea.
- Cover artists are wise to leave fragile egos and artistic temperaments outside the studio door, and you can talk straight, be clear about your expectations and your reactions to the design options they show you.
Having said that, there are some keys to your designer’s soul that will keep him/her working hard on your project, loving it, and giving you more than your money’s worth:
1. Point her to what you like and don’t like.
In the assignment phase, load her up with JPEGs and Amazon links and snapshots of covers that you like, especially in categories where your new book fits. She might need a list of no-no’s too: kinds of photos to avoid, competitors you want to not look like, etc., things you know as author/publisher in your field that others may not. She’ll be doing her own research, but your input at the beginning gets her going down the right paths.
2. If possible, specify what you’re hoping to see in round one.
If he is to give you three initial design options, let him know, for example, you’d like to see one with the provided photo dominating, one with type and graphics only, and one left up to the designer’s intuition—you know, “surprise me.” Creative latitude within established limits helps designers focus their talents.
3. Give her strategic feedback rather than micromanagement.
When asking for revisions on round one of your cover designs, think strategically.
Here’s what I mean:
- If the title is weak, say “it needs to be stronger,” rather than “set it in Cooper Black.” Designers care deeply (sometimes too deeply) about typefaces and trends and will do their best to come up with a solution that answers your concern and looks great.
- Perhaps you like a concept but it seems too dark and serious. “We need a brighter, lighter, more optimistic feel” is probably better direction than “make it yellow.”
- Again, no need to walk on eggshells around the “artiste,” just let her work for her fee and do what she does best, and you’ll get a better end result.
Designers are taught to think in terms of “problems” and “solutions.” Good ones get no greater satisfaction than getting inside your head, your market, your product, and coming up with a cover solution that sells your book and makes you proud.
Continued: How to Get The Best (and Your Money’s Worth) Out of Your Cover Designer- Part II
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Some copyright fees may change August 1
June 5th, 2009 by Sara Rosenberg
From Sally Stuart’s blog:
Effective August 1, 2009, some fees charged by the Copyright Office will change. Fees requiring Congressional approval will go into effect August 1, 2009, if Congress does not take action to disapprove them. Other fees that are set by regulation to be issued by the Copyright Office will change on the same day. Among the fees affected are those having to do with registration and Licensing Division services For detailed information, including the complete new fee schedule, go to the Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov.
Sally’s blog is a great place to keep up-to-date on all the latest in Christian writing, and her Christian Writers’ Market Guide is a highly-recommended resources for all Christian writers.
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Avoiding the Facebook Faux Pas
June 2nd, 2009 by Tina JacobsonYesterday, at the first annual TBBMG company “Kick Off the Summer” cookout, the group discussion turned to the topic of social networking-its pervasiveness, usefulness, and pitfalls. As we savored the baked beans and potato salad, we swapped stories of our facebook experiences. Many of those stories revolve around our pet peeves.
Social networking is a great tool, especially for self-published authors. But not everyone uses it well. For the purpose of this blog post, let’s focus on Facebook, which is free (for now) and has attracted millions of users.
Here are a few suggestions for getting the most out of your Facebook friendships:
- For most of us, facebook draws all the separate areas of our lives-home, work, friendship, family-into one big circle. Keep this in mind when you post personal information, especially pictures. Always be mindful of who may be watching. Those hilarious pictures you took while you were “building your testimony” in college might not serve you so well in the present.
- Certain facebook applications are guaranteed to turn off a majority of your potential network. Resist the urge to hit people with a virtual pillow or to “find out what color sharpie you are.” If you simply must know what kind of sharpie you are, go ahead and take the quiz; just don’t publish the results on everyone’s page.
- Skip “the poke” altogether.
- Update your status from time to time, but not all the time. Endless status updates might give the impression that you’re not doing much with your time. Trust us on this. Even your closest friends may not really want to know which brand of cereal you ate this morning. In fact, your Facebook friends may begin thinking of you as a bit of a nuisance. This is the last thing you want. Annoyed people will block your content altogether. Or, *gasp*, you might even join the ranks of the “un-friended”!
And here are some things that you SHOULD do:
- Do link your blog to your facebook page by using the NetworkedBlogs application. When you post a new blog entry, your feeds will come up on your page and your friends will be alerted. This is also a great way to attract more blog followers.
- Do make your status messages interactive from time to time. Ask a question that your friends can respond to in order to get conversations going. If it’s a topic that you discuss in your book, even better!
- Do work to build up your friend list. Did you know that you can import your email addresses from Outlook or web email servers in a few simple steps?
- Do respond to comments people are making on your wall posts to show that you are reading them.
Facebook is an ideal forum for authors to share their excitement and the latest information about their new books. Hopefully, these few points of etiquette will keep you from turning your Facebook friends into Facebook foes.
Have any Facebook faux pas or tips to share?
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One of the reasons why it needs no special education to be a Christian is that Christianity is an education itself. That is why an uneducated believer like Bunyan was able to write a book that has astonished the world.
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