An Honest Conversation About Online Book Marketing by Dee Stewart

Every day I spend a significant amount of my work day online. If not creating a client’s mar-comm materials, networking with my contacts, or researching & obtaining more pr opportunities, I’m analyzing my deliverables. What tangible milestones can I bring back to my clients that shows that we are moving steps forward on our book marketing campaign? There are a few deliverables that make the grade for authors: print media placements broadcast interview placements retweets with links attached click thrus on buy back buttons book festival placements public library requests bookclub president... 

Queen of American Publishing

This week’s topic at RAW4ALL yahoo group (our literary hang-out) is on  the literary industry. What are your overall thoughts on the literary industry?  What about as it relates to African-American authors?  What do you think we’ll see in the next 5-10 years and what one thing would you do if you were in charge of things. Dee Stewart shares her answers below: If I Were Queen of American Publishing by Dee Stewart Overall: The industry is experiencing a paradigm shift. We no longer build books but information assets. Be it books, ebooks, novellas, manga, comics the way we... 

Swagga Jackers Beware by Dana Pittman

Whoever said imitation is the greatest form of flattery lied. Or they haven’t been on the receiving end of someone listening to your plans and ideas, in confidence, and using them for their own, personal gain. A recent experience had me livid. I wanted to jump through the computer and practice my best old school Taebo moves or pull off my earrings and apply some Vaseline to my face. I know…I’m being a bit extreme but I was having a moment. My emotions fluctuated from anger to rage and they settle quite comfortably at disappointment. You see, in this literary game there are... 

Great Expectations by Katrina Spencer

In a society of, “I want it now,” it can be hard to develop patience. Patience for writers is like ink to a pen—you can’t survive in this business without it. As a new author, it can be hard to be patient as you’re building your audience.  You go to a bookstore and pick up a book by a veteran author (insert name here) and think, “They have it so easy! They have readers clamoring to get a copy of their new book.” While it is true that some veteran authors do not face the problems of gaining readers like us newbie authors, they do have the problem... 

The Author Press Kit by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant

The Author Press Kit by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant Marketing is very importing to an author, so it goes without saying that every author should have a professional press kit in their possession. Obtaining and building a press kit is not that difficult, but can range anywhere from low priced to high priced. If you are on a budget, it’s okay to compile your own press kit, just make sure it is simple and professional. My personal suggestion is to always start with an author bio. Keep it simple. What is simple you say? I’m glad you asked. You will be fine by simply addressing: Who? What?... 

The #1 Reason Your Book Marketing Efforts Fail on Facebook

Dee on Twitter Last month I asked a question on my Facebook profile: If you could give up one social media platform– Twitter or Facebook– what would it be? Most respondents chose Facebook, because they didn’t get it. Although the results weren’t shocking, they were problematic. Many of those responders were authors… African-American authors.  But in this “Relationships are Imperative for Survival” age, black authors need to get Twitter. They need to get it like two years ago… Social Media affords us (all writers) the opportunity to communicate... 

On No They Didn’t… Tee Speaks Out on BIB

**My apologies, but I didn’t know the Blogging in Black site would be down for maintenance today, so for those who have emailed me, I have updated this post to include the entire article. So, feel free to comment here if the BIB site isn’t up.** For those who know me, you know I try to steer toward the positivity in things, stay away from drama, and do my absolute best in everything I do.  I am the same with my family, with friends, and with business.  I’m passionate about the literary industry and also when it comes to raising my children.  Sometimes though, I just... 

Selling Out or Making a Sell (Part 2) by Dyanne Davis

This week, we continue with Part 2 of Dyanne Davis’ article, Selling Out or Making a Sell. Be sure to check out Part 1 of Selling Out or Making a Sell if you haven’t already and definitely share your thoughts! Part 2 – Selling Out or Making a Sell by Dyanne Davis Let’s move it a bit past the super explosive to the not as explosive. The manner of publication also garners much attention and sadly I might add with each group thinking they’re a bit better for whatever reason: For not making concessions, for doing it themselves. For not giving up knocking on doors until... 

Selling Out or Making a Sell (Part 1) by Dyanne Davis

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope you had a really wonderful holiday. Here’s to the best possible year for all of us! This article is about the little concessions that most writers make to have that contract that we all crave—to see their work in print.  How do we as writers view the choices we make?  How do the readers view them? This is an opinion piece. But it’s also a topic I’ve wanted to broach for several months. Seriously, it has taken me longer to write this article than it has to write a book. I’ve rewritten it so many times because I’m... 

Waiting on Prince Charming by Katrina Spencer

I have a red indicator light on my Blackberry that glows when I have a new e-mail. I’ve looked at my phone a record twenty six times today. And it’s not even lunchtime. “E-mail me!” I want to scream. “Tell me something!” Being a writer, you’re always waiting on something or someone. You have to wait until you get home from your day job before you can get home and write. When you finally get finished with your first book, you have to wait as your writing critique group reads it. (Or for some of us, our close friends and family.) After revising, you... 

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