Great Class

The Winter '06 class had its first meeting! That is where we talk about turning a manuscript into a print book. There was a lot to absorb and the participants not only "got it," they had great questions. Next week should be just as interesting.

The Publish and Sell Your Book Class

There is starting to be a buzz about the Publish and Sell Your Book class I offer through the Community Learning Program at Central Oregon Community College! I suspect that some of the interest has to do with former students who have taken the class to heart and are in the process of publishing their book. One, written by Becky Coffield and titled, Life was a Cabaret, should be available before the current class ends.

With so much buzz and success, the suggestion has been made that I give prospective students an idea of what transpires in the class. There are three meetings. The first is given over to helping everyone clearly identify what they want to do with their book. The decision really impacts everything else that follows. For example, if you only want to produce a book for family and friends, there is no need for things like an ISBN, Library of Congress Control Number, bar code, etc. However, if you want to sell a million copies, those items need to be included as well as several other things. Those things make up the rest of the class session.

The second meeting starts with turning your manuscript into an e-book. If an e-book is new to you, note that it is simply a book that can be downloaded into your computer. After the e-book discussion, we get really involved with how to sell your book/e-book. Traditional strategies and outlets are discussed but a greater emphasis is placed on the non-traditional. Even if you don't like to "sell" things, I think you will find that selling your book is not that difficult.

The third meeting is when we take an actual book idea and work through the process of publishing and marketing it. During the latter part I will discuss your manuscript with you on a one-to-one basis.

Does the class sound like it is worth the time? You bet!

For more information, see the course description in the Schedule of Classes.

Buying Trends by Book Genre

More book publishing statistics for 2004-2005 are appearing. The following pertains to fiction sales.

Romance novels lead the way with 39.3% of sales.
Next were mystery books at 29.6%
Followed by general fiction with 12.9% of sales.

When the figures are added, they total 81.80%. Thus, 18.2% of fiction books sales appear to fall outside of the three categories. What must they be?

Whatever they are, romance or mystery genres are the ones to focus upon if book sales are important to you.

Advertising Your Book

Getting the word out about your book is the first step in increasing sales. Check out the following Internet-based resources.

The first is Radio-TV Interview Report (RTIR) at http://www.rtir.com/ This service is essentially a database of authors who are available for live and telephone interviews. A thrice-monthly magazine that is sent to about 4,000 on-air contacts, it broadens the geographic dimension of your advertising efforts. Fee.

Another similar resource focusing on television is found at http://www.freepublicity.com/getontoptv/?10019/. Free, as the name implies.

Lastly, be sure to check out http://www.prweb.com/ This service will forward your press release to business and corporation communications entities across the nation. Place your release within the appropriate category. Free and fee.

Premier Entry

This is my first blog in several years and I must say its good to be back in the blogosphere. The inital blog dealt with train watching conditions along the historic Union Pacific rail line through the Tehachapi Pass in California. I discontinued that blog when I decided to move to Oregon.

A Union Pacific frieght train on the Tehachapi Loop. The photo was taken during the first Golden Hour, sunrise to one hour later (second Golden Hour is the hour before sunset).

Once settled in my new home, I started teaching in the Community Learning Program of the Continuing Education Department at Central Oregon Community College. The classes related to book publishing. I wanted to continue sharing publishing-related information, tips, and procedures with former students from the classses; hence, this blog.

In the following weeks, look for thoughts on Internet resources, tricks for editing photos that are to be included in books, intriguing marketing ideas, and more!

Thanks for stopping by.