Archive for March, 2010
Timing your book release
March 30th, 2010 by Andrew MackayThe BelieversPress blog features Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, answering questions that you’ve asked. Have a question? Send it to info@believerspress.com and we’ll get you an answer!
You asked:
My book is scheduled to arrive from the printer next week… when should I schedule my release date?
Getting ready to launch your independently published book is exciting. You’ll want to rush. But, there’s no more important time to your marketing plan than the lead up to the official launch. There are reasons that big publishers start their marketing push long before the book is scheduled to become available to retailers and customers.
Jonathan Acuff, writer of the popular blog Stuff Christians Like, just launched his book, published by Zondervan. You should read his launch day post. More than that, though, you should read backward through his archive and see the various things he did to generate pre-orders for his book. Jon wrote guest posts for any blog that would have him. He ran giveaways (including eReaders, the new Apple iPad, several mp3 players, and a MacBook pro). As a result, he’s trended well on Amazon, listed first in several categories, and created a lot of buzz for his book.
How does that help him? Well, as a result of the buzz and the preorders, bookstores will be more likely to a) stock it, and b) stock it in larger numbers. More importantly, the readership was primed for the release — they’d been waiting for it. When they finally received their pre-order (or went to a store to buy it), they probably rushed to read it. They likely told their friends about it.
The model can (and should, I think) scale down. Maybe you only have 100 readers waiting for your book. What a great opportunity to get them talking! You could send out “early release” copies to them. People like an exclusive. You could ask those of them who have any sort of platform (blog, reading group, church library) to write / distribute a review. You can get positive feedback for your own website. You can build your Amazon preorders, so that Amazon will stock your book in greater numbers.
Make a marketing plan. Make it for 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks. Talk about your book. Build the anticipation you can where you can. Then launch your book!
Most authors have been waiting for years to launch their book to the public. Another month or two of waiting now won’t hurt — especially if you use it well!
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-28
March 28th, 2010 by BelieversPress TweetBot- BelieversPress is selling our (original) Kindle. In great condition, original box and accessories included. http://bit.ly/cwFzfU #
- Just joined the Books community to keep track of the best experts. Join me here: http://mrtweet.com/c/books?v=jt #
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Author Profile – Mark Malmin
March 26th, 2010 by Andrew MackayTitle: Turning Adversity Into Success
Why I wrote my book: I wrote this book with the intention and hope that it would offer a thought-provoking analytical approach to overcoming adversity for Christians. Why aren’t more Christians living an abundant life filled with joy and other fruits of the Spirit? Why is the journey so hard? This book examines how we shoot ourselves in the foot at times if we don’t follow the biblical principles of success that are available to us through Christ. Woven into the various chapters is the concept of the Great Commission and the idea that “missionary work” is when we live the driveway of our residence. Finally, the book was written to attract nonbelievers and seekers to Christ, and to that end, it explores the issues of sin and our need for Christ and his precious blood that was shed for the remission of our sin.
About me and my book: I was raised in the church as a preacher’s kid (PK) and a missionary kid (MK). I am basically a preacher at heart with a passion for evangelism and missions. Ironically, my career was in law enforcement. I had a wonderful career arresting murders, rapists, child molesters, thieves of every sort, and drug dealers who never went to Sunday School when they should have! My view is that police work is missionary work!
Favorite part about working with Bethany Press/BelieversPress? I think what attracted me to Bethany Press more than anything was their mission statement and commitment to the gospel of Christ. It struck a cord deep in my heart that we were sharing the same goal…the good news of Christ. Our mission is not books: our mission is the Great Commission and it just happen to involve the medium of print.
A tip for others: Since this was my first book I learned a lot. One of the biggest things I learned is that editing is time consuming and repetitive. If you want to get it right, edit, edit and re-edit. I must have had a million revisions to my manuscript before it was truly ready for print.
How to bulk up your page count
March 25th, 2010 by TheDeskThe BelieversPress blog features Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, answering questions that you’ve asked. Have a question? Send it to info@believerspress.com and we’ll get you an answer!
You asked:
My book is essentially finished, but it’s not quite as long as I want it to be. Are there any ways to “bulk up” my book without making it noticeable?
Here are four areas to consider when looking to increase your page count:
1. Additional editorial elements the editor or author should evaluate:
Be sure your book has the following, which take at least 2 pages each (blank left and the right-hand text page):
- Dedication page
- Table of contents (unless it’s a fiction book)
- About the author
- Acknowledgments
2. Author-generated stretching “tricks”
Additional possible elements that can be added to the book:
- Introduction/Preface and/or:
- Foreword – Is there someone in your field or subject matter that could write a foreword for your book? Even a few paragraphs can add two pages to the book.
- Could your book be organized by “parts”—maybe each part or section contains three chapters. Each “Part” page will add two pages (part pages are always right hand and then the blank left)—you would want at least two parts of course.
- Are there areas where you quoted someone that you could turn into a block of text ? When quoting other sources, separate the quote from the main text with a new paragraph, space before and after and indenting.
- Can some of your points or subjects within one paragraph be changed into numbered or bulleted lists?
- Do you have headings and subheads throughout your document? Often, the chapters can be outlined using these, giving a reader direction and pieces of your subject at a glance.
- Are discussion questions possible? – on a separate page at the end of each chapter
- What about a Reader’s Guide? These are especially popular for fiction books.
- If subject warrants, how about an Index of Scriptures or Topics?
- Have you included a page or two of further research ideas or links?
- A “recommended reading” or “for further reading” book list?
- An ad page – Do you have previous books you could advertise on a page? Or, if you belong to an organization or support a charity, that is connected to your book in some way, you could insert their information in an ad format.
3. Interior design and typesetting directives
The designer doing your interior layout has several options to increase your page count. Be sure to inform them that you need to “stretch” your book. Any or all of these options can help:
- Add a half-title page (a page at the very front that has just the title of the book in smaller type)
- Use larger margins – this gives a bit more white space on the page (can actually make the book interior “feel” more open and friendly
- Use larger type size and space between lines
- More space inserted before and after heads and subheads
- Choose specific font/type – certain fonts take up more room on each line. There are condensed and expanded type styles and even regular type fonts can take up more or less space.
- Insert an ornament or decoration between sections or scenes in your story or subject
- Opening chapter pages can start lower on the page; an ornament or image can take up room, and or the chapter title type can be large
- Add a scripture or quote to the beginning of each chapter, which bumps the start of the text
- Design can be set up with large initial cap or first lines with larger type size or indentation
- Pull quotes can be implemented – this can be a good way to stretch out a book’s length. It involves choosing a sentence or two that restate a main point or significant thought within the text. The designer can take those and put them in a box or use some other decorative way of blowing them up and placing them consistently on certain pages throughout.
- Consider using a space between paragraphs instead of the standard indented first line (depending on the type of book). More pages will be used and but separation of thought is still clear.
Note: most books’ chapters start on the right hand page; your typesetter should know this. If not, be sure to include that as a desired method for helping keep page count high. Conversely, if a book has parts and multiple chapters, starting chapters on the left will lower the page count.
4. Paper and Specs
- If the issue happens to be the spine size for the book (printers usually have a minimum width in order to create a perfect bound book), a thicker paper is the first consideration
- Another option might be to consider creating a smaller trim-size book; example: instead of 6 x 9 book, you could change to 5 x7. Of course, this is only helpful if you haven’t had a cover or interior designed yet.
3 Things to Leave Out of Your Author Bio
March 23rd, 2010 by Kimberly BrockThe BelieversPress blog features Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, answering questions that you’ve asked. Have a question? Send it to info@believerspress.com and we’ll get you an answer!
You asked:
What three things shouldn’t I include in my cover bio?
- Incorporate “Anointed by God to teach/write/speak…” In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, the Word says, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God.” If you are in Christ, you are anointed along with every other believer in the world. While some authors may feel it significant to state, I believe it is more important to choose your words carefully in establishing yourself as the expert of your own work. If you want to mention your faith, do so in a way that sets you apart: “David has helped to lead Bible studies for 12 years…” You only have 3-5 seconds to grab your buyer’s attention. Select your words wisely.
- Announce this is your first book. As an author, you have to remember that you are your product. In order to put your best foot forward, you want to lead your bio with a strong statement about yourself including some of your qualifications to write your book. In other words, it would be better to lead with, “Sally is a part-time editor and freelance writer” rather than “Sally is a housewife who between hauling her kids to activities finds time to write.” Both statements could be true, but the first example better places you as a professional.
- Include too much information. Although your bio is a the place to list your many accomplishments, I encourage authors to carefully edit and select information that helps support the sale of the book. A good bio does not have to be complicated. I just read an article on bios. In this article it said that on a bookcover, readers want you to answer:
1) who you are…
2) your expertise and how it addresses…
3) their problem or goal, and how they can…
4) contact you
I agree with this theory and suggest that you may add a little more about your personal life (married, with children, etc.). But for the most part if you have those components satisfied, the reader will be happy. Also, do be sure to include a website that is current and active as well as a professional email address for which your readers can contact you.
For more information, please read an article I wrote titled Crafting Your Bio.
The Future of Publishing (according to Penguin)
March 18th, 2010 by Nick CiskeRead the story behind this video at The Future of Publishing post on Penguin’s site.
A Quality Book is…
March 18th, 2010 by Jeff GerkeAs a part of our Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, we’ll be asking several experts a broader question, like this one. If you have a question for the experts, ask it here and we’ll get you an answer!
We asked:
What characterizes a quality book?
A quality (Christian) book is a book that accomplishes its intended purpose, is written well, edited well, copyedited well, and laid out in an excellent typeset. It’s a book with an attractive, appropriate cover. It’s a book that has been made with quality craftsmanship and materials. It’s a book that is priced appropriately. It’s a book with a theologically sound Christian message. And of course it’s a book that God can use to work His purposes. In the end, a quality Christian book is one that finds its way into the hands of the person or people who need it. And I believe God takes care of that.
Find Your Angst – Writing Authentic Teenage Characters
March 16th, 2010 by Janna NysewanderThe BelieversPress blog is going to be featuring Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, answering questions that you’ve asked. Have a question? Ask it here and we’ll get you an answer!
You asked:
I’m writing a novel that features pre-teens and teens interacting both with each other and with older characters. What are some things I can do to make their speech feel authentic?
Janna replied:
Portraying those age groups in an authentic way can be difficult, as our environment/world has changed dramatically since we were that age, and it seems that kids have gotten to be more independent and savvy in general, especially with the technological and informational age we’re in. Obviously some things never change—like how catty and mean pre-teen and teen girls can be with each other, and how boys can be so easily threatened by one another and feel as though they need to prove themselves and go over the top to impress other people. The key is knowing/understanding/researching your subject matter as best you can.
Here are a few pointers to help you with your authenticity issues:
- Read through magazines and books that are aimed at pre-teens and teens to see what’s current. Along those lines, watch a couple of TV shows aimed at the same. Books and TV, especially, will more likely show interactions with a larger variety of age groups.
- Interview kids in those age groups to get a feel for their language, interests, interactions, etc. Use some sort of recording device (obviously getting permission from them first) so you can play it back as many times as you need to in order to get the right feel for scenes in your book.
- Go to the mall and just observe—you’d be surprised what you pick up on.
- Talk to friends/relatives who have kids in those age groups and ask them what theirs would do/say in specific situations.
What’s the difference between a graphic designer and CBA book designer?
March 12th, 2010 by Terry DuganThe BelieversPress blog is going to be featuring Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, answering questions that you’ve asked. Have a question? Ask it here and we’ll get you an answer!
You asked:
What’s the difference between graphic designer and CBA book designer?
Terry replied:
A few definitions:
Graphic Design - “the art or profession of using design elements (as typography and images) to convey information or create an effect” –Merriam Webster
Book Design is graphic design applied to the cover of a book, taking into account the ways books are marketed, and the audience that will be attracted to a particular book.
CBA - The Christian Booksellers Association represents a particular category in the book selling industry—evangelical Christian stores. Their highest profile event is ICRS, the International Christian Retailing Show held every Summer. It’s essentially a trade show that brings together the creators of Christian books, music and gifts, and retailers of the same from all around the world. CBA member stores and others have a chance to see and sample (and order) the items that they will sell in the coming seasons.
CBA Book Design would simply be the graphic design of a book with an evangelical Christian audience in view, to be primarily sold in CBA stores. Artistically this has usually meant a softer, more friendly design approach unlike the edgier, more hard-hitting look of titles destined for Amazon or Barnes & Noble. That line has (thankfully) blurred considerably in the last few years to the point that a “CBA cover” is not requested much anymore, and most covers are expected to “cross over.” Still a book designer has to be sensitive to any demographic for which a book is written, and make sure the cover works in that category.
So, a CBA book designer one who understands the CBA store market, and is capable of designing with a look that fits well there.
7 More Mistakes to Avoid and Book Recommendations
March 10th, 2010 by Mary DeMuth
Here are my final seven mistakes to avoid. I hope this four-part series proved helpful as you strove to deepen and clean up your writing.
1. Mundane Prose. We don’t need to hear the mundane parts of a character’s day, or hear his mundane speech.
Example
John ate breakfast. He wiped his mouth, then slurped down some coffee. He put on his fedora, then slipped on his galoshes. He opened the front door, shut it, then opened the car door, heading to work.
John ate a quick breakfast, then headed to work.
2. MRU problems. Motivation Reaction Units (See Techniques of the Selling Writer, by Dwight V. Swain for a full explanation.) Please read this article: Writing the Perfect Scene.
3. Lack of emotional depth. In novel writing, we need to see the depth of a character’s inner landscape, which includes his/her emotional state. A reader needs to relate to the character. Some ways to create emotional depth: Shove the reader into the character’s head in the midst of a highly emotional/painful/surprising scene; show the character’s reaction to a dilemma; or show the character physically react to some disheartening news.
4. Word Choice. Sometimes a word isn’t the right one. If I write WC in the margin, it means you need to rethink the word you chose.
5. Wrong Word. Other times, you simply use the incorrect word. Consider:
Affect (a verb meaning “to influence”)
Effect (a noun meaning “result”—used as a verb when you mean “bring about” or “accomplish”)
Example: Lisle wanted to effect a change on her college campus so she smiled at every person she passed.
Correct: The effect of her perfume affected me for hours in the form of a splitting headache.
6. Nouns in Apposition. If the person you reference is one of a kind, you separate with commas. (Apposition means placed beside. The noun in apposition, called an appositive, identifies or explains the noun or pronoun that precedes it.)
Examples
Incorrect:
My wife Esther is the best cook on the planet. (Unless you live in biblical times or you’re a fugitive from Federal Agents, you have only one wife.)
Solved: My wife, Esther, is the best cook on the planet.
Correct: My friend Rebecca sent me a rather lengthy e-mail. (If Rebecca is one of many friends, this is correct. If she is the only friend, you need commas before /after her name.)
7. Avoid –ing. Overuse weighs down prose. When you finish a piece, search for “ing” and see how you’ve used—or misused—it.
Example
Awkward and wordy: Families were purchasing . . .
Correct: Families purchased . . .
Book Recommendations:
- Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss
- Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain
- The Complete Guide to Writing and Selling the Christian Novel by Penelope Stokes (the chapter on POV is worth it—the best way I’ve seen it presented.)
- The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King
- Scene and Structure by Jack M. Bickam
- The Novelist’s Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes by Raymond Obstfeld
- On Writing by Stephen King
Writing the Perfect Scene
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