Writing Inspriation - Record Your Family History

Everyone has a story to tell, and one thing I particularly enjoy is hearing stories from my own family. What I do is ask questions such as: 

• How did you meet your spouse?
• What did you like about school? 
• What hobbies did you have? 
• What’s the most interesting thing that ever happened to you?

I write things down in stories on my computer, but you could also use a tape recorder and interview your family that way.

 

Learning about your family can give you some great ideas for stories. You might choose to write the stories exactly as you hear them, or you could turn them into fiction by changing a few of the facts. If you’re suffering from writer’s block, a family story might be just the thing to get you started writing again.

 

If your own family history doesn’t interest you, maybe you could visit a local nursing home to learn about someone else’s history. There is a world of stories out there waiting to be written, and you might be just the one to write them!

 

Do you have questions about selling your self-published book? Please let me know below. Thanks!

Following Through on Resolutions

Did you make resolutions in January, and you’re already finding yourself falling behind?


Don’t waste time kicking yourself because changing an attitude about getting a job done, whether it’s losing ten pounds or writing a book, is a tough thing to do!

First of all, remember each day is a fresh start to reaching your goal. If you’ve set a goal of writing 3,000 words per day and a whole week has gone by without writing a single word, don’t give up. Start every day new and don’t look back at yesterday and feel guilty.

Second, try to figure out where you’re failing. Was the goal too ambitious?

You might need to pace yourself. For instance, aim for a small change that gradually increases throughout the year. You don’t need to change overnight, but you need to be careful not to set yourself up for something you can’t achieve without practice.

Again, using the example of writing 3,000 words per day, you might start with 500 words per day, or 3,000 words per week, and every month increase that.

Finally, are you looking at the small picture of step-by-step improvements, or is the big picture distracting you? For instance, you might want to train to run a 10k race by the end of the year. Don’t look at it from the perspective of today - You’ll need to be able to run for a whole hour. Look at it from a training perspective of some weeks working on speed, other weeks on distance… slowly working on reaching your goal. Divide the goal into manageable parts, and concentrate on the small steps.

I hope you reach all your goals this year!

Do you have questions and need help with writing and marketing your self-published book? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com/.

What You Can Do Now to Get Ready for the Holidays as a Self-Published Author

If you’re a self-published author, you’re probably one of the busiest people around, but you’re also probably an organized person. It’s a big job to write, publish, and market your books yourself, so you’re able to handle doing several jobs simultaneously.

Something you really need to consider is how you’re going to promote your book for the holidays, and it’s never too soon to start!

• One way to do this is using the free social media outlets online such as Twitter and Facebook to generate some buzz for your book. If you haven’t already opened an account on these sites, now’s a great time to start.

• Once you’ve set up your account, use it to mention your books as often as possible, especially mentioning the gift giving season and how your book would be the perfect present to give someone.

• Another thing you might try is asking around at local bookstores and community centers to find out if you could do a reading from your book during the holidays, then after the reading have already gift-wrapped copies of your books ready to sell. Having already done the wrapping will make your book stand out from the rest as an easy gift for the buyer to give.

It’s a great time to get ready for the holidays, and starting now will put you ahead of the rest.



Do you have questions and need help with writing and marketing your self-published book? For additional resources, check out our self-published interview series at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/ or contact me at http://www.jexbo.com/ .

Interview with Linda Leon, Self-published Cookbook Author

Today at jexbo, we talk to self-published cookbook author, Linda Leon. Here’s what Linda had to say:

Tell us about your self-published book.

I am certified in Health and Nutrition, and devoted my life towards helping people to improve their lifestyle. When I first began, I would present healthy lifestyle information on a TV program that I produced which included a cooking section. Later, a friend suggested that I put the recipes in a cookbook and I did.

Having a cookbook really helped people so I began to do health seminars within the community and the book did really well as a sales tool with healthy benefits. My self-published book is called, “Effortless Vegetarian Cooking.” It is available at www.mvpmedia1.com/effortlesscooking and Amazon.com.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self publish after having a very bad experience with a small publisher that did another book. That experience left me with a garage full of books and I quickly had to learn to liquidate them. That bad situation turned into a good thing, because it taught me how to sell books and caused me to learn about the publishing industry.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

My biggest challenge was finding my niche. It takes a long time for most people to be able to find their niche. It is a lot of trial an error. Some things work, others do not, but you have to keep pressing until you find that niche.

How did you overcome that challenge?

I just kept telling people about the book, putting the information in front of as many people as I could and stayed active with every way that I could think of to promote the book. Eventually, I was given an opportunity to expand my television outreach and I found my target market upon that expansion.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

Control and not having to be subjected to a royalty. I was very satisfied with the results of my book activity and did not feel the need to find another source to help me with the books.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Learn as much as you can about the industry and be prepared to do marketing on a regular basis if you want results. Writing the book is the easy part, marketing is the hard part. It can also get expensive, so you should never spend beyond your means.

You also have to identify what your true motive is for writing the book. If you want to write to get rich quickly, you may be in for a rude awakening. If you write because you enjoy the craft, then more than likely your book will become profitable.

Having a pure money motive will not sustain you for the time it will take to fully develop your marketing and PR. Once you begin marketing and PR, it really becomes a part of your lifestyle.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My experience with the small publisher taught me to learn and it encouraged me to help others. I would not want to see anyone go through what I went through so I started Book Marketing Professionals at www.bookmarketingprofessionals.com. We help authors with their book publication and marketing efforts. Our motto is we assist from manuscript to marketing. I really enjoy working with authors and they can contact me at Book Marketing Professionals.

Thanks for your insights and information Linda. Good luck with more books sales!

And if you have questions about self-publishing, please contact me here or at http://www.jexbo.com/. Thanks!

Self-Published Author Interview Series – Beverly Barna

I hope all of you had a great holiday! Today for our self-published interview series, we talk to Beverly Barna, author of “Infertility Sucks! Keeping it all together when sperm and egg stubbornly remain apart,” and “The Daughter of Dreams.”

Tell us about your self-published books.

I have two self-published books: Infertility Sucks! Keeping it all together when sperm and egg stubbornly remain apart and The Daughter of Dreams

Both are widely available online and at select bookstores. “Infertility Sucks!” has been around longer and has turned up in retail sites around the world.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

The short answer in both cases is that I was ready and going through conventional channels felt like it would take too long. In the case of “Infertility Sucks!,” I was on a mission to change the way people thought about and talked about infertility. I wanted to be a trailblazer and shake things up and just wasn't finding an agent or publisher who "got it." So I gave myself a deadline, shopped the self-publishing market and went for it.

In the case of “The Daughter of Dreams,” I found a nearby small self-publishing house who had an illustrator, David White, whose work knocked me out. His style was exactly what I had in mind for my story, so off we went.

Again, in both cases, I felt that the market had room for the message and approach I wanted to present to the world.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

I would have to say the biggest challenge has been marketing, and increasingly, getting through the all the noise and clutter in today's media. It's a totally different world of communication. On the one hand, the technology puts everything at everyone's fingertips. On the other hand, it's harder than ever to get heard. It can also be hard to find the time to do all the things I'd like to do and to do it well.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The best part for both has been seeing the books, holding the books, reading the books. For “Infertility Sucks!,” I have achieved a lot of what I set out to do. The public perception of infertility and the dialogue about it has changed completely. The book, along with National Infertility Survival Day ™, which I founded, have contributed to that. I still get great feedback on the book, and it has outsold books that were published through traditional channels. So there!

For “The Daughter of Dreams,” which I wrote for my daughter, whom my husband and I adopted in China in 2001, the best part is the pride she takes in the book, herself, and her mom. I also -- and this will sound corny, but it's true -- feel very strongly that this book will change the way people think about adoption. It's a children's book, but it's also a book that adults can appreciate as literature. It's a book about adoption, but the story is universal. It's a writer's book, but it's also a work of art, thanks to gorgeous illustrations.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Own the process. It was long ago impressed upon me how important it is to present clean, correct and highly professional writing to gain credibility. Since self-published authors may face prejudice regarding their legitimacy, it's crucial that we not feed that perception by presenting our work and ourselves as anything less than competent at a minimum. Edit copy; insist on perfection to the extent it's attainable; and make them eat your words -- and be glad they did.

Once published, force yourself outside of your comfort zone to promote your work and yourself as an author. Every time one pushes the parameters, something is learned and therefore gained. Have fun. Be proud. As I tell myself at least once a week: There is not much joy in being celebrated posthumously.

Thanks for your tips Beverly. Your books sound very interesting.

Do need assistance marketing and selling your self-published book online? Check out the free marketing we offer self-published authors at www.jexbo.com or send me a note here. Thanks.

Three Quick Tips for Selling Your Romance Books

Did you write a great, self-published romance and are ready to sell it? Well, there is no need to spend a lot of money to help sell your new book. Here are three quick tips to help you get started:

1. Check online options.

In addition to posting your book on www.jexbo.com (where you can list your book for 10¢ per month and jexbo takes just 5% of the sales), look for other sites online specifically for self-published authors. By doing a little research, you will find a simple and cost-effective service that best suits your needs and budget.

2. Look for local reading clubs.

Check your phone book, library and online for a list of reading clubs in your local area. There are many groups that focus on reading romance books, and you could suggest they add your book to their reading line-up.

If you can’t find one of these clubs, consider starting one! Post a notice at your local community center or library to find others interested in romance books. Then, plan monthly book discussions and events. You’ll build word of mouth and get some great feedback on your romance book.

3. Sign up for book signings.

Visit your local bookstore to set up a book-signing afternoon. You can offer a discount on your book, a presentation, free snacks, and more. Think of ways to get people to your signing, and don’t forget to let the local paper and other media members know about it. They might send someone over to do a story about your book signing and you’ll get free exposure for your book!

These are just three quick tips to help you sell your self-published romance book. If you have more questions and need additional assistance, feel free to contact me here or at www.jexbo.com. Thanks!

The Top 3 Things Self-Published Authors Should Avoid

You’ve worked hard to write your self-published book. But there are three, key things you should know about in order to sell the most books as quickly as possible:

1. Never be afraid to ask questions about the publisher you choose.
If you are going to pay someone to print your book for you, you need to understand exactly what you’re paying for. Ask important questions up front:

• Does the price include shipping the books to you?
• Is there an editor who will proofread your book?
• Will the publisher use your book in their advertising, and if so, will you be compensated for it, perhaps with a reduced rate?
• Will the publisher help you market your book?

This way, there won’t be any surprises, and you you’ll know what to expect.

2. Never be shy about promoting your book.
Once you write your book and are ready to reach as many readers as possible, then you need to shout it from the rooftops! Tell everyone you meet about your book, send out a press release and try to secure media interviews.

Also, encourage friends, family and associates to help spread the word about your book. And if you’re too nervous to talk about it, have bookmarks, handouts, t-shirts, and other marketing materials printed to help advertise your book.

3. Never give up.
There will be disappointing times when you’re trying to sell your book, but you need to keep looking ahead. If you don’t believe in your book, why should anyone else?

You need to surround yourself with positive people who can encourage you during difficult days. For help, find a writing group online, or check with your local community center and join a group where you can meet face-to-face.

Patience Pays!

You spent many days away from family, friends and fun to complete your book. Now, before jumping on the marketing bandwagon, take the time to ask your publisher questions, prepare a promotional plan and get support. You’ll save time, money and stress in the process. Plus, you’ll end up selling a lot more books!


Do you have questions about self-publishing your book? Feel free to write to me here or at www.jexbo.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Schulfest

I posted this blog a few weeks ago at Pink Magazine Online, but I thought my audience here would also like to read it...

The school year here in Stuttgart is fast winding down. My son will graduate from elementary school on July 29, and next year he’ll start Gymnasium (which is the last 8 years of school here, sort of a combined middle- & high school). This past weekend we went to our last School Festival and it was bittersweet for me and my husband but not for our son who spent the time with his friends rolling his eyes at me when I told him “I had four great years here.” He said, “You didn’t even go here Mama.” But it feels like I did and I'm sure many parents feel the same way about their children's schools.

The school festival here is like most elementary school festivals I went to when I was at school in the US. There was a bake sale, tug-of-war game, speech by the principal (the kids were all running around having fun – just the parents listened to this), parade of first graders who sang and waved paper flowers, and an exhibit of all the art made by the children throughout the school year.

My husband was assigned to work at the grill (hotdogs for sale – 2.50E each), and I spent time talking with my son’s beloved first teacher here and we both marveled at how fast the past four years have gone. We met her on our first day in Stuttgart, when we stopped by the school to pick up the school supplies list, and here we are moving on to another school preparing to say goodbye to her.

Thinking about this makes my eyes fill with tears, so I’ll stop talking about it and move on to later that day. After the school festival we were invited to watch the Stuttgart Lichterfest (Light Festival) with friends who have a house bordering the park where the fireworks take place. There we had a lovely evening – barbecue on the balcony, kids running around, interesting company (these friends are Norwegian-German and had invited guests from Norway, South Africa, Germany and us – I’m American and my husband is Austrian). One particular guest was a designer who worked on the Ice Hotel in Sweden and we were excited to tell him we spent a weekend there this past April.

Then, near midnight, we walked home through the throngs of people leaving the Light Festival and my son said, “Isn’t midnight when scary things are supposed to happen?” and I thought no, all time is scary because it’s moving so fast.

Three Ways a Mom Entrepreneur Can Get Time to Herself

During the summer months, things can get crazy if you are taking care of your children and running a business. In fact, it may seem like it’s impossible to get any time to yourself. However, it is possible with a little planning.

Here are my three, quick tips to find some extra, personal time to refresh and re-energize.

1. Always work ahead whenever possible.
As you run around taking care of your business and all of your work priorities, you never know what’s going to pop up. By completing projects and errands in advance, you’ll be prepared for unexpected issues.

If everything goes smoothly, you’ll have some extra time in case you need a break. And when this happens, try to do something for yourself – paint your nails, read your favorite book, talk to a friend, or take a nap.

2. Plan activities for your kids that get them out of the house.
There are many ways your children can have fun, learn, meet new friends, and give you a few minutes to yourself at the same time. To start, check with your local library. They often offer craft programs, movies, reading events, and more free for participants.

And during the summer, many cities offer drop-in programs at local parks where the kids have supervised play. Conduct a little research. You may find that your gym or spa has child-activity centers. Another option is to work with friends to develop joint, play dates. This way, each Mom can get a break on a regular basis.

3. Change your hours.
Try to get up an hour early to get work done while everyone is asleep. If you’re not an early bird, stay up an extra hour at night. You’d be surprised how much extra time you have to accomplish things when the phone isn’t ringing and your children are not making requests.

And note that you don’t have to do this every day. Rather, you might try this just a couple days a week and find that it gives you all the extra time you need.

These are just a few tips from one busy Mom entrepreneur to another. For more help, check out www.entrepreneur.com/mompreneur/index.html, http://www.startupnation.com/series/131/1237/advice-entrepreneur-moms.asp and www.bizziemommy.com/

Do you have questions about being a busy Mom entrepreneur or selling your self-published book? Please let me know here or at www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!