In I few days I will be celebrating the start of my third year in Publishing. I am astounded at the progress I have made, the friends I have met, the clients I have worked with. It has been a truely amazing journey. I have worked with 70 clients in the past two years. Over the next few months you will see me updating my website so those clients can have their own page and book links.
Now though, is the time to push outside the square or box – through the constrainted boundaries a lot of us stumble into as authors and small businesses. We all need to grow and together, I believe we can. There are lots of things we can do for each other to push our progress to the readers and future clients.
How are we going to do this?
Well it isn’t easy. If it was it would be boring. Life is what we make it, so lets get out there and live it, enjoy it and capture the interest of those we need to succeed.
My target audience is writers and authors. What do I need to do to get them to come to me when there are so many other Publishers out there, who are bigger and at this stage, probably better than I am.
1. Well, I give each client my undivided attention, I work with them to get the best work out of them as a writer and give them the best book back in return. In effect I tutor an author in the process of self-publishing – not writing. I tutor how to open and use accounts on createspace, kindle and draft to digital. I assist with tax forms which each accoutn needs filling in. I assist with building their platform as a writer, showing them the simple and free ways of marketing.
2. When it comes to the actual book, I offer packages for formatting, editing, book covers and book trailers. Each package has a price and something different on offer, it depends totally on who needs what. I also do formatting as a solo job due to the fact many writers and authors already have editors and book cover designers. I work with the author and how they wish their book to look within the guidelines of how a book should look to a reader.
Today, I still see badly formatted work, one of my main complaints is when eBooks aren’t justified and the indent is to large. It makes it harder to read – well for me it does.
My business is now open to submissions for work. I may not be a publisher who works off royalties, however, I do the same things for a certain cost. The Royalties are the authors, it doesn’t matter if they become a best seller or not. Once I am paid I am happy.
3. My next idea is my Indie Publishing News. As some of you may know I offer FREE Marketing to author and small businesses supporting Authors. All you have to do is join my group on Facebook and sign up to recieve a copy of the newsletter. (There are some copies on this website under Newsletters) By doing this we are informing each other of our work and books. My mission is to get more author in the group. However my main area of concern is if you are reading the newsletter and passing it on to your friends and readers. This is what needs to happen. With this thought, I am going to make a sign up form for Readers to get the latest news on Indie Authors. I will need this shared out, re-tweeted, etc. by eveyone who gets FREE Marketing, engage your readers, after all, this is what everyone one of you needs in some way or another.
Imagine your readers looking through ‘The Indie Publishing News,’ they find a review or a book they like the look of, so they go and buy it. Meanwhile another reader might be buying your book. So you can see how together we can grow our marketing and reach.
A favourite motto of mine – T.E.A.M – Together Each Achieves More. So lets get the team work moving forward and grow OUR newsletter.
I see many authors and PAs get tossed into what has now been called Facebook Jail, where they get banned for a certain length of time for posting to fast, to frequently or in to many groups at once – or so it seems.
On Amazon authors are losing reviews due to “You know the Author,” syndrome. So how do they find out?
Today I found this article posted on facebook. It is by Gwendolyn Kiste, who writes about how authors and publishers use URL Links they share. I have attached her article here, it is interesting to read and so are the comments. Part of the post covers why authors maybe losing reviews, it is the URL and how much of it you copy and paste to share.
On a personal front, I only share the first part of a URL for a book from Amazon. Once the link has loaded on Facebook, I remove the link and type in a post, this means you have to click on the picture to read the article. When I write my newsletter I copy and paste a partial URL to the BUY NOW Link. What this means is Facebook and Amazon can’t follow you as easily.
Since I don’t do a lot of Marketing, I have no real Idea about how the bans on Facebook happen. I have yet to be caught up in it, though I do knwo several authors and PA,s who have. Maybe reading this article of Gwedolyns will help.
I have had a dip in my life – there again don’t we all – and the following day I recieved a thank you card from the USA. Totally shocked and happy. It sure made my day and restores my faith in the kindness of people who uplift others – just when they need- smileing and heart happy. No matter if they know or not.
This wonderful lady went out of her way to find my address and buy a card. I’m stunned by their generosity and I am totally looking forward to putting the article about Bailey (a gorgeous service dog) and David into my newsletter.
Issue 4 of the Indie Publishing News is due out on 10th of August. It will be a tad different. This time along with the usual I will be highlighting andhelping to teach you all about Service Animals, in particular Service Dogs. If anyone has any other Service Animals with stories I would be delighted to know about them.
A Service Dog with his Owner
I have been learning about the difficulties some people have with knowing how to deal with Service Dogs, what they can ask, what they can do and if they really are a servce dog. Like many things in life today, there are those out to take advantage of the system which gives real Service Dogs a bad name. One of the things I have noticed is that not all Service Dogs are one breed. So think about what to say, ask and do before you get sued by the Service Dog owner.
More about this in my newsletter along with links to information and maybe videos to help you, help them.
We all read books, be them eBooks or printed. As the Indie Author community continues to grow, the reviews for what Readers read are even more necessary. So what sort of reader are you? What do you look for? What annoys you? What makes a story awesome?
I love to read for the story. There are only a few things which annoy me in books. With Indie Authors it is the flow. If a book is stilted I find them very hard to read, the worst case scenario is I won’t finish it and I won’t leave a review unless I can find something positive to say.
In Traditional Published books I dislike finding American English in a book set in Historical England. It annoys the hell out of me. I have also noted now, since reading some great Indie Author books that I loath descriptions which go on for pages, along with the style of writing. His side, her side there side…Give it a break, let your writing flow and be an Indie Author.
Anyway, what I have noted with Reviews. Those who are authors tend to be picky with grammar. My grammar is still improving. However, I write in a mixture of different grammar – UK, NZ and US. Most of my English is UK English and how I speak (the characters) seem to be a bit mixed up word wise. Maybe my characters and muses watch too much TV and pick up odd words…LOL.
Are you a reader who likes to escape to another world or time? Tell me about your journey of escape.
Are you a reader who looks for errors? Tell me what is the most irritating thing you’ve come across.
One of the last books I dived into was by Audrina Lane. A fab British Author who took me back to my teen years with her story. It was so good, I am now part way through book two. The times, romance, the British English and sayings, the music and what sort of things we used to do, so much forgotten. Audrina’s books are a joy to read. Probably the first British book I have read in years. Thank you x
I first started blogging on Blogger probably around 2010 as a Family History Researcher. I moved over to WordPress as an author and publisher in 2015
2) What is your favourite day of the week?
Not sure I really have a favourite day. I like Monday’s – they are my catch up day business wise and also my voluntary work day at a local charity shop. I also like Fridays because I get to spend time with my husband.
3) What is the nicest thing you have ever done for a stranger?
I am one for helping others, so helping strangers is part of life. I have given money so someone could pay for something. I have paid for coffee when someones card didn’t work the latest was assisting an elderly lady up an escalator with her trolley and having a good chat too while my family waited for me. She was adorable and didn’t want her trolley to knock her over as she’d forgotten her walking stick.
4) Who is your favourite band or artist?
Well I love all the British 80’s music. However, I am proud and loud when it comes to sharing the works of Glass Animals. A group of young men from Oxford. They are awesome, different and one is my 2nd cousin (or is is 1st cousin once removed…lol).
5) Do you prefer orange juice or apple juice?
I love a cold glass of Pure Apple Juice
6) Name one of The Spice Girls?
Baby Spice – always liked her
7) What book did you read last?
The last eBook I read was called ‘Bailey’s Remarkable Plan by David Hardiman. Bailey is a gorgeous dog who is a Service Dog. You will find out more about her and her owner in my next newsletter.
8) What is your favourite TV show?
Not that I watch TV very much, however I always enjoyed Castle and NCIS
9) Are you an author as well as a blogger?
Yes. I am very much an author (2011), blogger and Publisher – the last been my main business.
10) What is your next goal in life?
I need to step is upgrading my marketing skills for my own books as well as for my publishing business. Getting my name out there and helping as many Indie Authors as I can.
Author Events on Facebook…Are they worth it? Is it good marketing? What type of Author Events work the best?
I don’t actually know the real answer, though I can tell you what I have seen and how things seem to me.
First – The easy part is making an event, putting up a description and banner and sending out invites – well as long as you remember to make it public. So it can be a bit confusing for the first time. Oh and make sure if you use a pen name, the event doesn’t use it…That can be quite confusing for your friends and those doing author takeovers.
Okay now you’ve set up your event, you’ve invited your friends and author family, so you put out an invite for author take over slots. This is where it depends on if you are doing an open book event, author book event or genre book event. You need to have the right people doing takeovers. Other than that, I haven’t seen any rules on what to do and what not to do. Out of the several hundred invited you will get about 30 – 40 saying they will attend and you may get some interested. On the day, this might not be so. Many forget or other things in life take over. What we need is a system to remind people, it isn’t easy. A major difficulty is time zones, people attend from all over the world at these online events, occasionally things go wrong. Nobodies fault. It has happened to me several times which is why I now only say Interested, then pop in if I can. However…yes there is always one of these with me. There are several different kinds of Author Events.
Book Release Event
If you are participating in a Book Release Event, then after introducing your self and saying hello one of the first thing a guest author or person needs to do – in my opinion – is to congratulate the author on their book release and share a few of the authors links – if there are any – after all it is book release event. It is also nice if you hang around and participate in the games and other take over guests, before and after for a while or if busy, pop in and out to see how things are going.
As Indie Authors you are there to write and let the world know about your work, your books and to help each other be seen. If you don’t participate how can you grow your reach and marketing arena? This after all is one of the free ways to do so – if Facebook doesn’t ban you mid way through.
Genre Events
It is here you need to make sure you have author take overs of the same, similar genres for the whole event, after all a children’s book won’t fit in with adult books. You really need to work your readers and fans, inviting those who are interested in what genre you are selling. Obviously with children’s books you invite parents or grandparents, anyone who reads to children or wishes to help the children read good books.
Adult books can be steamy or even erotic – get to know your audience, ask them to comment and share things from your event, even if they can’t attend, they can still comment later and share to others who may be interested.
Themed Events
These are a blast to run and to participate in. You tend to get them for Christmas, Easter and special occasions. Some authors do themed for book releases with take overs. It is amazing see the ideas everyone comes up with now. I think it may be time for me to do one for my series! I know one lovely British author who has been or is running themed book releases for her books which date back to the 1970’s. It is amazing the memories she can pull from you. Who you were, where you were going or doing. I must admit I really enjoy her books too (Audrina Lane)
My longest theme book was for the Awethologies Light and Dark which were released October 2015. I was online for 23 hours. It was brilliant and tiring. I also learnt a lot from the experience. Like how to schedule posts on my blog. There are four Awethologies now all releases in 2015 and as eBooks they are FREE. I’m looking forward to re hashing a new event for this year to get the books to an even wider audience.
Party Events
Free for all, generally run over several days or a week. This is a bit like posting in groups, however because they tend to be open to all genres you can widen your audience and reach by attending, posting and getting to know fellow authors and readers.
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The main part of our problem as I see it, is getting outside the circle of authors. yes we are all readers, however, our posts are likely to go around in the same circles to the same people and no entice any new readers in.
Do EVENTS work for you? Is there anything else we can do to push those boundaries and get outside the box or square. There are millions of readers out there, yet we barely touch the surface unless we are really lucky.
On a final word. Please remember to congratulate the author who is celebrating a book release, please say thank them for letting you participate. It doesn’t hurt and may help build up their self-esteem just when they need it. It may also make them share more of your posts in the future or even return the favour in another event.
Looking for a Book Trailer Video or a Marketing Video then please touch base with us and we will show you the way to getting the exact video you want. Plaisted Publishing House has so much to offer to Authors and Indie Businesses. So take a look and leave us some feed back.
I live in Nebraska with my husband David. For the past 20 years, I’ve been a practicing social worker. Many of the clients I have worked over the years are survivors of physical and/or sexual abuse in childhood. I understand all too well the world they live in because I’ve been there too. This is really intense work and after two decades, I’m now choosing to advocate for survivors through my writing.
What bought you to the world of writing?
I have loved writing since I learned to put words together. I love how words can paint a picture in the minds of readers to convey an emotion and communicate ideas and experiences. Writing is also highly therapeutic. Just about every therapist I know uses journaling with their clients.
What is your first book and what do you think of it now?
My first book is called Reaching for the Light: An Incest Survivor’s Story and I am very proud of it. It took 4 years to write and I am just overwhelmed by the attention it has received in social media. I just learned that, even though it doesn’t release for another 3 days, it has already ranked #145 on Amazon’s BEST SELLER list. That’s just mind blowing.
What type of books do you write and do they fulfil your reader’s needs?
I write non-fiction for the most part though I do have an idea for a historical fiction novel in mind, but that’s sometime down the road. In writing Reaching for the Light my goal is to reach out to other survivors with the message of hope that healing is possible and they can take their lives back. There are millions of survivors of child sexual assault in the United States and I imagine it’s probably the same for other countries unfortunately. My hope is that by reaching out to other survivors we can shine the light on this crime shattering the lives of innocent children.
How long does it take you to write your first draft?
The first draft of this book came together slowly in bits and pieces over a period of about 3 years and then it took several months to weave the pieces together to form a complete draft.
How do you edit your work? Do you leave your draft alone for a while or edit as you write?
I like to free flow my writing and then go back and edit and proof read. Utilizing other editors and proof readers is essential as well because, as the author, I see my work from a different perspective. Editing is one of the most tedious parts of the writing process but it’s also exciting because I start to see what the book will look like in its final draft.
What type of people/readers do you market your books to?
I wrote this book primarily for other survivors but I believe its message has value to teachers, doctors, therapists, and other mental health professionals
Do you self-publish or have you worked with an Agent/Published?
I have been enormously blessed to work with an outstanding Indie Publisher, Plaisted Publishing House. Claire Plaisted has gone above and beyond in helping me launch this book. She took on an unknown author and a book with a very dark topic knowing much good it could do. She is just amazing to work with.
How do you promote your writing?
I have to give credit to Darryl Erentzen who designed my original blog site 4 years ago. I regularly update the site with new announcements, inspirational posts, and healing resources for survivors. To date, my site has been visited over 5,700 times. I also have a Facebook page for the book. My FB page has reached more than 150 people in just the past two weeks. And I again have to give enormous credit to the efforts of Claire Plasted who has continuously posted promos for my book throughout the online literary community and created a moving and beautiful trailer for my book which is now posted on YOU TUBE.
Where can we buy your books?
My book will be available online at Amazon.com beginning July 4th, 2016. You can also pre-order the ebook here. KINDLE
Who are your favourite authors?
Some of my favorite authors are Dr. Susan Forward, Harriett Lerner, John Bradshaw, Wendy Maltz, Maya Angelou, and Joyce Meyer. I love the book Stephen King wrote about the writing process. I have read and loved books by other survivors like Jaycee Dugard and Michelle Knight.
Do you have any more information you’d like to share with us?
As I said on the back of my book, the crime of child sexual assault is a national tragedy. We, as a society, need to pay attention. Children depend on to the people in their lives to protect them. The truth is that, for far too many children, the very people who should keep them safe are the ones who are doing them the greatest harm. And the ramifications of this will continue into the next generation unless we, as a collective society, are willing to give up our denial and take action.
Hello welcome to my author take over. My name is Claire Plaisted. I am an Indie Author and also run Plaisted Publishing House for Indie Authors. I am the author of an up-coming Children’s Book Series.
Girlie and the war of the Wasps is the first book in my Children’s Charity book series. The idea is to give 40% of the proceeds to a charity. This book will give money to ‘Chasing a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes.’ More on that later.
Girlie is a little Blue Ladybug who goes on Adventures of different kinds. In book one, Girlie sees and hears her best friend being kidnapped. Following the mean wasps she find much more than she bargained for. Buy your copy of this book at the below link and see how Girlie sorts things out and helps the Queen wasp become a good mother.
Purchased recently, this brightly colored cover smiled at me from my kindle, so my late night reading began. I could picture the story as Girlie tries to rescue her best friend, Grassi, kidnapped by the wasps. Girlie and a centipede named Pedi form an alliance, and together, they discover the wasps have kidnapped other insects to do their work for them. The wasps have grown lazy and mean, and after speaking with the understanding Queen wasp, Girlie and her centipede friend embark on a journey to another hive to discuss the problem and find a solution so Grassi and the other captives can be freed.
I loved this book. There are lessons to be learned–stand up for yourself, accept people as they are, and admit your mistakes. The visual of a centipede having to put shoes on his one hundred feet each day brought laughter.
Behind the scenes in the book you will find the issues of healthy eating and maybe a bit about bullying. This is why I chose ‘Chasing a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes,’ as my Charity for this book. They are looking at starting trials which will benefit Type 1 Diabetics around the world.
Michael J Elliott is the Illustrator for the images inside this book. He is a wonderful artist and has become a good friend. Below you will find the most adorable image of Pedi and his many shoes.
The image of tying his shoe laces every morning is one of the fun parts in the book. He is such a gorgeous centipede.
I loved this children’s book. The adventure keeps you interested and the sketches are adorable. I really enjoyed how there were several lessons interwoven into this story without it seeming like it were “teaching” moments. There is no doubt that children of all ages will enjoy this book! Highly Recommended
Settling down on the ground in the centre of the orphanage garden, she looked around. She could hear someone weeping. Walking towards the noise, it got louder until she nearly stumbled over a leaf covering Glow the yellow ladybug.
“Hello Glow, what’s the matter with you?”
“O-oh Girlie, nobody likes me or wants to play with me anymore,” she sobbed out.
“Surely not, you’re a lovely ladybug, Glow,” she replied.
“I’m a horrible ladybug, I’m the wrong colour,” she cried out.
“What do you mean you’re the wrong colour, you’re a most beautiful colour! You’re like the yellow ball in the sky which gives heat and joy to us all.”
“They still don’t like me,” she hiccupped.
“You were all playing together when I last passed through here,” she said. “Come along, let’s sort this out. It’s time to get all of you happy and playing.”
“I-I’m scared Girlie.”
“Hush now, all will be well,” she smiled.
They wandered over to the ladybug house where they found Matron washing the floors.
“Girlie, you’re back so soon, the ladybug orphans will be so pleased to see you.”
“Matron, I hate to say, but you have a small problem on your hands with Glow and the others.”
“Oh, not again, you children are terrible sometimes,” she said looking at Glow.
“I-I didn’t do anything,” she sobbed out.
“Glow, sweetheart I didn’t mean you, I meant you children, in general. ‘Tis part of growing up.”
“Well, if we don’t sort this out Matron, it could get serious and ugly,” stated Girlie.
“What’s happened this time?”
“They won’t play with me because I’m the wrong colour.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being yellow,” said Matron rather startled.
“You’d better call the others in. we’ll soon sort this out,” Girlie sighed.
“Yes, I think you’re right Girlie.”
The matron called all the ladybug orphans into the house, they all sat quietly, one or two glared at Glow who was partly hiding behind Girlie’s blue wings.
“Right my little ladybug orphans, please stand up if you are red and go to the far right corner.”
A murmur went through them, looking at each other the red ladybugs slowly did as they were told.
“Now the pink ladybugs in the far left corner please.” They rushed to do her bidding.
“Next we will have blue in the bottom right corner and the orange in the bottom left corner. The rest are to stay in the middle.” They scampered to their corners, smiles on their faces at being the chosen ones. They stuck their tongues out at those left in the middle, including a rare metallic blue ladybug.
“Now Glow, I want you to sit in the middle with the ladybugs left over.”
With her head down in shame, she walked slowly to the centre, wondering what Matron was going to do with them.
“Right,” she said, loudly clapping her hands. “Today you are going to play with ladybugs the same colour as you and nobody else. Those special ladybugs in the centre can play with any colour they want and if you lot in the different corners don’t play nicely then, there will be punishment.”
The ladybugs in the corners gasped in shock. They glared at the odd assortment of colours in the centre of the room.
“You seem to have forgotten one important thing,” said Girlie. “Mandi, Candi along with the rest of you were playing nicely the last time I passed.”
“What’s the important thing then?” called out Mandi angrily.
“You are first and foremost all Ladybugs. It doesn’t matter what colour you are, what size, or shape, or breed you are. YOU ARE LADYBUGS!!”
“You grow to help the garden to stay beautiful, you help keep the garden and each other happy, your colours are entirely irrelevant in this world,” said Matron.
“B-but,” stammered out Candi.
“There is no but about it Candi,” she said. “We are all one. We live, work, and play nicely. If you have a problem, you come and see me. Now off you go and play until dinner.”
Chasing a cure for Type 1 Diabetes was founded by Noela Vallis as part of her Charity ‘Spinal Cord Society New Zealand,’ which came about due to her husband been in an accident and left in a wheelchair. Today, Noela is raising funds for a Diabetes Cure using Stem Cells.
At present I have two more books in the series in stages. Book Two is ‘The Quest to find Pedi’s Family.’
Book Two is the story of finding Pedi’s parents. In this book you will meet several new characters including Batty Bat and Ella Mouse. In the background of the story you will see instances of biting and kicking, with this said the charity of choice will be some kind of Dental care based in Australia – the choice will belongs to Mike Elliott, my Illustrator. This book is due out within the next month.
Flick and Klick, the Stick Insects, mistaking Girlie as their Football
Book Three is an adventure to the Circus in the Insect world of course. I can’t tell you much more or it will ruin the surprise. However, the story will be part of an anthology due out at Christmas to raise funds to save the Black Rhino. I chose this charity to help children understand that the creatures of our world are important too.
The image shows Pip and Pop the
Spider Clowns.
Michael J Elliott is my Illustrator for these books, he has captured the very essence of the characters with his brilliant imaginations. Parents and children alike say the drawings are cute.
