RedBird-RedOak Writing

It will be for Karen McQuestion who recently signed a contract for her novel, A Scattered Life, with AmazonEncore, the traditional publishing division of Amazon. It’s significant to note the word “traditional” in the previous sentence because Karen has already enjoyed a large readership (plus a movie option) on the self-published e-book. On June 22, 2010, the physical book will be released.

Please note: This class is nearly at capacity. Call today to secure your spot! 414-881-7276.

Wondering how she did it? Wondering how you might use her experiences to grow a readership of your own? Mark your calendar:

Self-Publishing:
Not Just for Vanity Anymore
with Karen McQuestion
Saturday, April 17
1 pm – 4 pm
$40

Even if you think self-publishing isn’t for you, you’ll gain much from participating in this workshop. Download our Registration Form and send in your check to hold your space.

…that was the question in a recent thread of emails among some of my writer friends. Conclusions ranged from gotta-have-’em to nah-it’s-just-navel-gazing.

Here are a few paraphrased reactions from editors, agents and writing coaches at the UWM Spring Writers’ Conference 2010

• I’ve found 2 recent nonfiction book projects through people’s blogs and tweets. I approached them [underline mine] to ask if they wanted to write a book about their area of expertise. (Was that a collective gasp I heard from the roomful of working/aspiring writers?)

• In nonfiction writing, the authority of the writer and his/her platform (e.g. professional contacts/online following) are king. Publishers can “work around” an individual who isn’t the strongest writer. (Was that another gasp from folks who are working on the craft?) For fiction writing, skill and craft are still of the highest priority; platform is less important.

• If you don’t have an online presence, you may as well “not exist” to most people. It is very effective to use blogs, Twitter and Facebook as tools for building relationships with potential clients/readers rather than using blogs as an “online business card,” a showcase for your own writing, or, worse, a “look at me” site. (People get tired of that very quickly.)
  

• Readers need to get something out of visiting your blog or following you on Facebook/Twitter. Posts need to have “added value:” free information, inspiration, fresh content, free stuff, etc. (One blogger held a raffle for a Flip camera for anyone who subscribed to his blog, newsletter, etc. and increased his subscribers by a huge number.)

Yeah, but when am I supposed to do all this blogging/tweeting? asked the tech-overloaded/time-deprived roomful of writers. Writing coach, Rochelle Melander, gave us great advice: turn it off when you’re writing, turn it off at least one day a week, block out the time you’re going to allot for this aspect of your business (yes, business) and then stop. Which reminds me, I’m almost out of my allotted time for this….