The "slow" move to better online content

We've seen a resurgence and new respect for long-form journalism, after a few years of tweets and status updates that don't add anything lasting to our literary world. Now comes a call for "Slow Media." 

"Every person with an Internet connection now has a place to go to find news as it breaks. We are only just beginning, however, to realize the Internet’s power as a promoter of longform content, a recognition that is helping to drive the rise of micropublishing, a movement that emphasizes the quality of the publishing environment over timeliness, and one that eschews the primacy of the pageview. We are just starting to see the emergence of startup publications that are seeing opportunity beyond the blog format. Included among the most prominent proponents of the written form are Medium, Atavist, Byliner, Longform, and Longreads."

For us, it means more quality reading, more places to write, and an appreciation for our good writing.

Read more here at Pando.

It started with chick-lit

First there was chick-lit, segmenting the popular fiction category into a subgroup of lighter novels, fun to read and easy, Most importantly, it was aimed at the target audience of book-reading females. Those who like the genre and found it relevant helped spread the popularity of chick-lit titles.

Then we saw the proliferation of YA (young adult), gothic and the recent steamy books turning people 50 shades of red.

Where have we come today? Writer's Relief suggests we're up against "new adult fiction" (NA) as the hot new thing. A USA Today article suggests this sub-genre appeals to readers between adolescence and adulthood, mostly those in college

Think 'young love' but without the happy ending readers desired in the past.


Writer's Relief helps you decide if your next novel fits the NA category with a brief checklist. Read their full post and the checklist here.

Yes, writers must work at promotion...

Quoting here from an ASJA's 2013 conference speaker, Brian Feinblum.

"Take matters of PR and marketing into your own hands.  Few people are solely writers – most writers also must promote and market their work, or hire others to assist.  But if you just have wild expectations, hopes or misguided beliefs about your role and what publishers do for you, you’ll find yourself frustrated.  You are a writer, and you are a promoter, and marketer, even if your business card doesn’t say so."

Source: Brian Feinblum, the creator and author of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, is the chief marketing officer for the nation's largest book promotions firm, Media Connect (www.Media-Connect.com), formerly Planned Television Arts

A little advice on succssful pitches

Thanks to Book Marketing Buzz for their timely tips on their blog. If I was going to BEA this year, I'd definitely nest in their corner and absorb more of their top marketing ideas.  With Spring in full swing, those of us who want to get articles published this year better step up. Knowing the long cycle from query to assignment, your pitch in May might be in print by November.

A recent post on their blog discusses the best ways to pitch the media when most of them are understaffed. The answer ,of course, is to make their job easier.

The way to appeal to the news media is:

<    * Localize your story when possible

<     * Have a truly timely and news-worthy hook

<     * Present a story that is easy to cover, with well-packaged materials such as written content, videos, or visuals

<     * Let them know you have a large platform, such as a big number of Twitter followers or YouTube viewers –
  this will move them to cover you because they hope your social media fans will follow them

<     * Say something new or something old in a new way

<     * Don’t make the media have to think, do research, or download 50 things – make your pitch short, simple and catchy.

Santa Fe photo shoot-out

Part of the travel writing workshop with Travel Writing on Location was our photo shoot-out yesterday.

What better American city than Santa Fe to take great photos. From the amazing LaFonda Hotel filled with art and history to "The City Different" in glorious color.

LaFonda Terrace Concierge

La Fonda La Plazula hand painted art throughout

La Fonda Terrace courtyard gardens

La Fonda hot tub

St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral

Santa Fe street musicians

Balloon fun

A fine quote for those days when you're stuck...

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."-- Mark Twain

 

 

 

When you get some time to spend on your writing, don't let anything get in your way. Even if you can't remember what you wanted to write about, or what magazine you wanted to pitch, sit down and start writing. Something good will come of it, I promise.

Ebook stats that tell the truth

Great infographics that tell the story about ebooks vs. print revenue and royalties, courtesy of Now Novel. Read full story here.

Courtesy of: Now Novel

Publishing: Nook Press now competes with CreateSpace.

CreateSpace has been a great resource for my client projects, with me as midwife for 14 books in 2012 and 2013 to date . Self-publishing for print and ebooks with no upfront cost is an ideal solution for many authors who don't need the services of a print-on-demand firm for marketing add-ons or special personalized services, custom sizes, photo management or other magic.

Now Barnes & Noble has expanded their Pub-It ebook publishing service to include Nook Press:  full self-publishing for print books, with no upfront cost.  I'll test it as soon as the next client picks up the phone and requests help in publish a book. Or, if time permits I will do the 2nd edition of Release Your Writing that you've been asking for.

Until then, if you're thinking of self-publishing, give Barnes & Nobles new service some consideration.

Magazines aren't dead

Magazines aren't dead. Our screen time just keeps us from taking the time to explore and enjoy them. Stop in at the Chicago/Main newsstand at the power reading corner of Main & Chicago in Evanston, IL. There you'll find an aisle of gorgeous magazines on the arts. While reading Letter Arts Review, one of five new magazines purchased, I came upon this, in reference to the rhythm of writing:

Come at it

the way you would

a pile of clothes on an empty beach at dawn.

Circle it slowly.

Hold the pieces up one by one.

Be a cop: ask questions.

 

                                   -- Al Zolynas, How to Read a Poem

Anne Lamott on social media

Had the pleasure of seeing Anne Lamott in Winnetka, IL last night, thanks to The Book Stall and Women's Exchange. An 'intimate group' of 300 people packed the auditorium and were rewarded with an entertaining evening of Anne reading from and talking about her books, sand about writing, grace, and God.

Thought you might like to know her view on Twitter. For all the people who think they don't have time to use it, she says:

"It's called Twitter, not Treatise. It takes about a minute!"

Anne also loves the intimacy of it and says she finds the 140 character limit is great writing practice. She also said social media doesn't take anything away from her writing time. "Its part of my real writing."

Her two newest books are Some Assembly Required,  and Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers,

Think big for your book promotion

Beyond your local bookstore and local library, there is a world waiting to discover your book. Work a book tour into your summer vacation this year if you're promoting a new book. Poets & Writers has a huge database of literary places here:
http://www.pw.org/literary_places


Libraries, book shops, museums, arts centers.... you're sure to find a few great places where you can book an event.

Travel Writing on Location

Travel and writing go hand in hand. The favorite pen, time alone in a cafe, late nights in the glow of your laptop screen. Travel writing is getting paid to research and write... in other words, to do what we love, all while enjoying a break from routine and finding surprises waiting around every corner when we travel.

Travel Writing on Location is offering a terrific opportunity:  Native American & Spanish Heritage in New Mexico: Santa Fe. May 2-6, 2013. Details on this and more workshops for writers can be accessed at their comprehensive site: http://travelwritingonlocation.com/writing-workshop-in-taos-santa-fe-nm/

As I frequently tell you, "There's never been a better time to be a writer." So, when you see a good opportunity to travel, take a writing workshop and return home with new skills, find a way to make it happen!  I'll see you after the conference!

A six-week course on self-publishing

Two publishing workshops I've done in 2013 attracted a total of nearly 150 people. Clearly, many of you writers are ready to explore the avenues to publishing. And a huge number of people are ready to produce an ebook, either as an adjunct to a current print book, or as a first step in the digital world. Your timing is great because Media Bistro has a six-week online class that might be perfect for you ...

Transform your manuscript into an eBook in our Self-Publishing Finishing School. Develop a strategy to design, market, and publicize your eBook with industry professionals such as Mark Coker (founder, Smashwords) and Guy Kawasaki (author, APE! What the Plus).

Register here.  The online class runs April 3 to May 8, 2013.

You've heard me speak highly of Mark Coker, of Smashwords, and if you aren't familiar with Guy Kawasaki, he is a real delight. He will be discussing two of his books. What the Plus refers to understanding the power of Google Plus. Here is my review of his recent book:  APE: Author Publisher Entrepreneur. I can guarantee, with these two speakers, the online workshop will also be great fun.

How long does it take to blog?

Many people think blogging is time-consuming. Judge for yourself. ...

We know creating a blog involves choosing a template and making a first post. But does it take a lot of time every week or every month to keep it up-to-date?  Not really. Your blog is a communication tool, and composing a blog post is as easy as sending an email:  Just like typing a subject line, message, and clicking Post.

For writers, who are busy juggling words all day, a blog can seem like one more item on the to-do list. But starting a blog gives you another opportunity to do what we do best -- write.

Your blog can be informative about your topic, inquiring or pondering issues that come up during your writing, aspects of your book, or those of famous writers, and general observations on the writing life.  You can quote other information sources, share photos, or ask questions.

As I mentioned yesterday in an OCWW workshop, you can always make the leap to a blog and keep it private at first. Or you can post references to items of interest that you read elsewhere, just to begin sharing and begin building the base of your readership.

Believe me, if you want to write for a magazine, get a column, or attract an agent, your blog will be crucial in showing off your personality, your voice, and your future.

You don't need to be profound.  Just be found.

Helen