Introvert and Insecure about Networking - No More!

Time for another Insecure Writers Support Group post. To join up, simply click on the badge:

Drawing a topic from my long list of insecurities, today I thought I'd tackle 'networking'.

Networking is a great buzz word in business, but for me, it simply means connecting with peers. Sounds less intimidating that way, doesn't it? And yet, it still scares me.

It's important to connect with others in your industry, especially for writers, as we are not conditioned to interact with the humans on a daily basis. Networking allows you to benefit from the wisdom of colleagues who have been through the trial and errors you're about to embark on. You can also meet industry professionals who can give you a helping hand to achieve your career goals. But I think, most importantly, it allows you to help emerging writers on their journey to publication -- that can be so rewarding.

And yet. I attend conferences, workshops, seminars, and I simply can not go up and speak to someone unless they speak to me first. I always convince myself I'm just bothering people.

Lucky for me I have the internet. You can approach people you don't know at all, converse, ask for favours, joke around, and all without ever having to look them in the eye!

But I would like to improve my networking skills, so, I've decided to create a networking opportunity to encourage introverts to connect with other writers, face to face, without the need for even a tiny bit of courage! I'm coordinating the Rainforest Writing Retreat - a two day retreat set in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland (for our Aussie writers). We'll have writing masterclasses with expert presenters and publishing advice. But more than that, we'll be taking part in planned networking activities.

Ever purchase hundreds of contact cards, but were too afraid to hand them out? One of our activities will have everyone swapping cards, you'll actually have a list of names that you must tick off as you collect their card. We'll also have 'get to know you' games, chat sessions and everyone teams up with a roomie for the twin-share accommodation.

So, if you've wanted to attend an event that meets your dreams--don't wait for it to appear, create your own!

My retreat:

https://www.facebook.com/RainforestWritingRetreat

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HOW TO SELL A SEASON-THEMED BOOK

Today I have a guest post from the vivacious Dimity Powell, author of 'PS Who Stole Santa's Mail?' -- Dimity will share the secrets for releasing and promoting a book written to seasons or annual events. Enjoy...


When I began writing my first junior novel for kids, I admit I was greener than a fir tree. I paid scant attention to season and time (and probably a lot of other things too) and how they would eventually factor into those all important publishing requirements – saleability and marketability.

My intent in those days was purely to pour out the story which involved stolen Christmas mail, a crime that is most problematic and significant around Christmas time. Then, almost before I knew it, after four years, I had myself a published book and the rush was on to get it on the book shelves in time for its seasonal debut.

PS Who Stole Santa’s Mail? does not take place in a ‘season’ as such, especially when you consider Christmas falls within two opposing seasons. So my problem was not centred on children needing mittens versus sunglasses to read it, but rather would they bother reading it at any other time of year other than when the excitement of the festive season was burning bright in their eyes. Indeed, would anybody bother buying it for them at any other time of the year? Was I cutting myself short of any hope of return by targeting such a narrow time frame within which to sell? What type of publisher would even take such a risk?

Fortunately I found one who would and did. 

The Publisher: 

Look around and you’ll discover a number of independent, smaller publishing companies willing to add new unknown talent to their collection of established and respected authors. It homogenises their small select lists and keeps them vibrant and innovative.

The Timing:

Like any other publishing house, they are or should also be, in tune with the seasonal nuances peculiar to the publishing world, a world revolving around salient selling times. For instance, post-Christmas, early New Year is prime time for flooding a thirsty market with self-help and self-improvement titles. Easter is a popular time to launch books of religious content and anything for children. October, November; leave it later than this and you’ve missed the sleigh for the highest retail revenue season of the year for most titles including all kids lit. Times to avoid are the flattish months between May and July and any time a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book is released. Your aim is to let your book loose at a time it is going to gain the most public notice and sales appeal.

The PR:

Don’t expect an Indie publisher to have a full time publicist to hold your hand and guide you through the post publishing phase of promoting your book either. If you are lucky, you will be able to work closely with your publisher who should negotiate most of the marketing steps for you but will still rely on you to be your own PR person. 

The Plan:

But how does this all translate to sales when you’ve got a book that screams Christmas and little else? Here are my tops tips for selling a themed book. They are by no means comprehensive nor fool proof and relate mainly to traditional publishing, but worth thinking about before you reach for your candy cane…err…pen.

1. First and foremost: don’t write one! No really, if you simply have to write a tale about Santa, then by all means do so. Write what wants to be written within you. Getting too caught up on ‘should dos’ will only hamper your creative flow.

2. Identify the seasonal or calendar relationships in your book. Mine, for example is clearly Christmas. Are there any niche markets that could benefit from this relationship? For example Christmasoholic collectors / hobbyists. They may have everything Christmas, but do they have your book?

3. Find the right publisher. Research and shop around for the right publisher to publish your book, themed or otherwise. Check out their lists, published authors, and read as much of their material as you can. Your kids’ picture book about the Easter bunny is not going to get past the front gate of Harlequin no matter how dazzling it is.

4. Connect the Concept. Have a clear and concise concept of how you intend to market and promote your book when the time comes. Include this in your query letter or submissions to prospective publishers to demonstrate that you’ve actually given the task serious thought. Connect the topic and date to all the potential markets for your book.

5. Be creative. Having a seasonally themed book is a superb launching pad from which to have a little fun and raise a lot of interest in your work. Think outside the square.  I created a spread sheet for dozens of local and regional markets, and then rang each market organiser to gauge the best times to be there to sell my Christmas book. Turns out it’s not always before Christmas! Consider moving post-Christmas stock the same way the shops move last year’s tinsel and wrapping paper.

6. Consider local media: radio, newspapers, community newsletters, notice boards in local corner stores. Check out your local schools. Most include their own newsletters. Many welcome visits by published authors. Time this well though. Calling a school or local library to offer your services in November for December is often too late. Like everyone else, they book up in advance and schools vary significantly in their end of year term break-up dates. You may have to start your Christmas visits or the organisation of them in July. Use this in addition to your online and social media presence.

7. Hit the streets. Who are you really selling to? Seven year olds don’t usually buy their own books or presents. They may not even be in the position to be influenced by your amazing online presence and promotions, so think carefully about who is likely to buy your book for them. Who reads to or with the target audience you are writing for? These are the people who will want to know more about your book. Professional business clubs, groups and adult library sessions are all worthwhile places to offer your services. They are often in need of guest speakers about different topics and in exchange for sharing a bit about yourself and craft, may purchase a book or two. Again time these to suit your book topic or seasonal theme to cause greater impact and ‘need’.

8. Celebrate your season at different times of the year. Christmas in July for instance is taking a stronger and stronger hold in a society that needs little excuse to celebrate an event. Exploit this tendency to your advantage. 

9. Approach reviewers. Book reviewers, especially children’s ones, often group theme based books together in reviews to showcase as many as possible to compliment that time of year. Think ANZAC based picture books, Christmas and so on. Don’t be afraid to send your books out there. The more you fire off, the more likely they will find their mark.

10. Go nuts with the theming. You’ve written your book about witches and goblins, so now go all out with the decorations and theming to accompany your presentations, book readings or launches. I have a grab box crammed with Chrissy things I use exclusively for my book, not to decorate the house with, for instance. It is always ready to go. Theme any activities you take along for kids to match. Collect other books that support your theme for extra visual interest. Is there music that suits or a book trailer? Use that too. Generate creative gifts to match your theme; pens, caps, Tees – or make your own. Create interesting give-aways for children if you are giving readings. In other words, value-add to your theme. I’m not suggesting you bake dozens of Harry Potter shaped biscuits to sell your witches book, (although I’d love to do this). It’s all about matching time, effort and expense with expected outcome. But the more pop and uniqueness you can associate with your seasonal book, the faster it will fly off the shelves.

The Result:

Of course it’s not wise to let your market theming get in the way of your main purpose; to write and share books with a largely paying audience. Just because you love tinsel and want to give out fruit mince pies at your book launch is not reason enough to pen a Christmas story. It simply won’t work. But if you have a season based book already, all is not lost. With a little lateral thinking you could be moving those elves off the shelves for many more Christmases to come.

Remember, there’s always next year! Now excuse me – I have a date with the Easter Bunny…

Cruise on by Dimity’s site, Dim’s Write Stuff to discover more about her addiction to Christmas and PS Who Stole Santa’s Mail?

http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com.au/p/ps-who-stole-santas-mail.html

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November - not just #NaNoWriMo

November certainly is a busy month! Not only are writers around the world rushing to complete 50,000 words in one month, and gents are combing out that Movember fuzz on their upper-lips, but it's also the month when plastic dinosaurs come to life!

Dinovember is the imaginative creation of Refe Tuma and his wife, as they dedicate every November to convincing their children the toy dinosaurs come to life at night. 

I loved this idea and had to share it with my girls, wishing they were still young enough to believe in magic dino toys. Oh what fun I could have had with our elaborate collection of all things prehistoric when Emily was just a wee little palaeontologist in the making.

'Do the kids really believe?' She asked me.

'Id believe, if someone did it for me,' I responded, and perhaps my tone was a bit wistful and nostalgic, because the next morning I awoke to this:

The dinosaurs got out of their tub!

They snuck out of the garage...

And migrated up the stairs.

One got into the cat food...

Pinkachu was NOT impressed.

Things may have gotten out of hand. It's always fun until a saurus gets stir-fried.

Want to check out the original Dinovember characters? Check out Refe Tuma's blog: 

Thoughts on Creativity

or join in the fun with your own pics on the Facebook page:

Dinovember

Those whacky Dinos, what will they get up to next?

Guest blog by:

Wool. E. Mammoth.

'Forget Jurassic, Pilocene was the Coolest!'

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Karen Tyrrell - Bailey Beats the Blah

Today I'd like to introduce you to an incredibly inspiring author. Karen Tyrrell, Australian and Author, has found her niche in writing by focusing on a cause close to her heart. Karen writes about mental illness; she's published two non-fiction books on the topic and is now releasing her picture book for children, Bailey Beats the BLAH, which deals with depression in children and strategies they can implement to deal with the condition. But it's not just for those touched by mental illness, Bailey could be an kid, after all, we all feel Blah some days!

I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of Bailey Beats the Blah and even got to participate in a mini pantomime of the story! Okay, it wasn't the leading role, but I think I was well cast as Fuzzy, Bailey's dog.

Enjoy Karen's interview:

Karen, through your writing, you're fast becoming well known as an advocate for mental health issues, a topic often whispered about and swept under the rug in our culture-- when did you first realise you were needed as a mental health champion?

I slipped into that role after my first shocking announcement of the title of my memoir, Me and Her: A Memoir of Madness. Word spread I spoke honestly about my experiences with mental illness and how I recovered. Community organizations requested I speak in public forums at hospitals, clubs, and groups and on radio and TV. Each time I spoke out I gained more confidence.

Were you met with any resistance from friends, family or the public when you decided to produce your memoir and guide on mental health? 

I received different reactions ranging from curiosity and stigma to warm support. Some family members were concerned I would reveal their personal details. I chose to concentrate on my personal experiences only. With Me and Him: A guide to Recovery I focussed on my husband’s secrets and the profound impact his revelations had on both of us. 

And which people have been your biggest supporters in this journey?

Support has come from a wide cross-section: my family, friends, neighbours, teachers, writers and mental health organisations … and from complete strangers across the world.

'Bailey Beats the BLAH' is a very unique idea for a children's picture book. Please share how the idea for this story formed.

I wanted to write a story about a boy who didn’t want to go to school, who experienced tummy aches, who believed he had no friends. As a teacher I came across many kids like this. I wanted the reader to become emotionally aware of what Bailey was going through, so he/ she will be able to reflect on his/her Blah feelings too. And how he could change.

And lastly, how can parents or teachers use this book to help fight stress, depression or other mental health issues with children? Are there strategies they can implement?

Bailey Beats the Blah can be used to initiate conversations on feelings, emotions, moods and simply how cope with ‘Blah’ days. Children can act out the story by downloading the puppets from my website. Teachers & parents can ask questions: how did Bailey overcome his Blah days. How can YOU change your day from Blah to ha-ha- ha? What can you do to keep yourself happy?

Bailey is aligned with Kids Matter program, part of the National Education curriculum and supported by counselling service, Kids Help Line. 

FREE children's activities and FREE teacher notes can be downloaded from KarenTyrrell.com 

Bailey Beats the BLAH is available from Amazon and KarenTyrrell.com

3rd Nov	CreativeKidsTales.com.au
4th Nov	BoomerangBooks.com.au
5th†Nov	DianneDibates.blogspot.com.au
6th†Nov	Kids-Bookreview.com
7th†Nov	RobinAdolphs.com
8th†Nov	CharmaineClancy.com
9th†Nov	MelissaWray.blogspot.com.au
10th†Nov	ClaireEverAfter.com
11th†Nov	Squigglemum.com
12th†Nov	NickyJohnston.com.au
13th†Nov	NccParentsplace.wordpress.com
14th†Nov	AuthorJillSmith.wordpress.com
15th†Nov	NatashaTracy.com
16th†Nov	Buginabook.org
17th†Nov	WriteAwayWithMe.com
18th†Nov	AngelaSunde.blogspot.com

Bailey Beats the Blah Book Giveaway

Help Stamp out the BLAH!

WIN:  Copies of Bailey Beats the Blah, a signed Bailey artwork by illustrator Aaron Pocock and a picture book assessment with chief editor at Book Cover Café. 

Leave a comment on any of the 16 hops on the Bailey Beats the Blah tour Nov 3^rd -18^th. The more comments you leave the MORE chances to WIN.

WINNERS announced on Nov 20^th at www. karentyrrell.com

Me as Fuzzy.

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Insecure about launching a book?

Today I am an insecure writer. Mostly I'm insecure about missing an insecure post. Seems every month I forget it's on. So, here, on Thursday, is my Wednesday Insecure Writer's Support Group.

One of the many, many, many things I'm insecure about is launching a new book. How about you? I'm terrified no one will turn up to the book launch and when organising a virtual launch, I hate asking people to post for me. But I've learned two things that I hope help you too:

1. People want to help. Seriously. We love seeing one of our online buddies do well with their new book.
2. We all know at least one person who does a brilliant job of launches. Learn from them. Watch them and basically, do what they do. Reach out to them and ask for advice.

I have a friend who does an amazing book launch. For her new book Bailey Beats the Blah (I'll be posting more about that tomorrow), Karen Tyrrell presented a pantomime while she read her story to eager children! I adore Karen for the work she does promoted mental health issues (and because she's just a really nice person), but mostly I adore her for allowing me to dress up as Fuzzy and take part in the performance. It was my shining moment!

dream... write... publish has moved!

You can check out the new site at:

dream... write... publish

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Once Upon a Halloween...

As part of the WEP Blogfest, I'm sharing a Halloween-themed short story today. This story features Zane, Kev and Elise from MY ZOMBIE DOG in an all new tale:

Once Upon a Halloween

I lean in, the torch illuminating my solemn expression. Outside the wind howls and our tent rustles. It’s the perfect backdrop for my Halloween story. 'Once upon a time—'

   Elise exhales a dramatic sigh and makes a show of dropping her shoulders.

   'Something wrong Elise?'

   'S-boring Zane. Don like 'pon time stories.'

   'Yeahsh,' Kev agrees through cheekfulls of marshmallow. 

   My turn to sigh. 'Fine. A long time ago, in a faraway town—'

  'Uhhhghhh.' They complain in unison. A marshmallow bounces off my forehead.

   I point the torch at my little sister. 'Do you want to tell the story?'

   Elise shrugs. 'Spose to be scary.'

   Kev scrambles up from his sleeping bag. 'Zanie boy here doesn’t like scary stories—do you Zane?'

   Elise giggles.

   'He gets so scared he needs to leave all the lights in the house on when he sleeps.'

   This is totally unfair of my so-called buddy. It was one sleepless night, I’m really not that easily scared. The torch light dims and we are thrust into a moment of darkness. I shake the torch until finally the light flickers back on. Phew.

   'Wan a story with a sseep.'

   'A scary story with a sheep?' I ask.

   'Yeah, and a turtle.' Thanks Kev.

   'How is a sheep and a turtle scary?'

   'Zaaane.' Elise’s bottom lip pokes out.

   'Okay… One dark and stormy night a sheep and a turtle set out to cross through forbidden tunnel—'

   'Why would a sheep and turtle want to go through a tunnel?' Kev asks.

   'Because… they were meeting with a duck at the fountain in town. So anyway, they set toward the forbidden tunnel and the turtle says—'

   'Why’s it forbidden?'

   'Because there were rumours that a scary monster lived under it.' Pretty proud of that one, made it up on the spot.

   'Eh, that’s alright, but it’d be better if one year ago to the day a horrible, horrible murder took place right in the middle of that very tunnel.' Kev snatches the light and flashes it on his face. His ginger eyebrows are casting fuzzy shadows on his forehead and it’s creeping me out.

   I cough and nod my head toward Elise.

   'Wan’ scary hobbible murder story!' She squeals. 

   Great. She’ll probably have nightmares.

   'Ohh, I don’t know Elise,' Kev says, 'Zane might get too scared!' 

   Elise giggles.

   'Will not! I’m fine!'

  'You sure Dude? Remember what happened last time we went camping?'

   'That was ages ago, and besides, I told you, I just had too much orange juice.'

   'All right then… so the sheep and turtle approach the tunnel and the turtle’s saying how it was exactly midnight that the last animals were slaughtered in this very tunnel one year ago. The sheep looks at his watch—'

   'Hey!' I protest, but Elise shushes me and turns attentively back to Kev’s illuminated face. I try not to look at his dancing eyebrows. 

   'The sheep looks at his watch and says, Hey it’s almost midnight now. Well sheep are pretty stupid because they continue on into the tunnel, which is very, very dark. Halfway through they stop and the sheep asks: did you hear that? They listen and there’s a scraping noise along the wall. It sounds just like a sharp knife being dragged along the stones. Scrape… scraaaape… scraaaape…'

   I grab Elise’s arm. You know, just to make sure she’s okay. We both lean in close.

   'They try to run to reach the exit of the tunnel where they can see a slither of moonlight, but ahead of them comes that same scraaaape…. scraaaape… and they see…' Kev’s voice trails off into a whisper.

   I bite my lip and lean in closer.

   'What? What do they see?'

   Kev leans in too, so we’re all really close and he whispers, 'They see a shadow, it becomes clearer in the moonlight … and that’s when they notice its face…'

   Friday the 13^th stabbing music blasts from Kev’s phone.

   'Eeeek!' I squeal, I mean, I think it was Elise who squealed.

   'Zane scared!' Elise giggles.

   Kev speaks into the phone, 'Yep … no probs … I’ll ask.'

   'Dude,' he nods to me, 'it’s your mum, she wants to know if we want hot chocolate?'

   I look out the flap of the tent and see mum waving from the kitchen window. Sure. Hot chocolate would be good, may as well have it inside, no point in making her bring it all the way out here. I very calmly agree and slowly make my way up to the house.

   'Hey!' Kev calls after me, 'You don’t need to run!'

Find more spooky stories, or join the blogfest at:

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Join the Spooky Blogfest for Halloween!

Denise Covey is hosting a fun Halloween blogfest. We might not be big on the actual trick or treating here in Australia, but we do like our spooky stories!

Want to write something spooky for Halloween? Pop on over to Denise's site: 

http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com.au/

 to join up.  You could write a story... or a haiku!

On my new site for kids and teens, I show how to write a spooky haiku - you can check it out at:

iTeenWrite

I'll be sharing a story here on October 30, and I look forward to reading a few spooky tales!

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