Archive for May, 2007

Publishing Veterans Answer Your Questions about Book Proposals and More

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

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I thought you might like to know that next Tuesday evening, June 5, at 8:30 p.m EDT/6:30 PDT, I will be hosting a teleseminar in which I will grill former acquisitions editor Terry Whalin, author of Book Proposals that Sell, on what it takes to get published by a traditional publisher.

What’s cool about this is that rather than the content of the teleseminar coming from my head or Terry’s, we will be talking about what the participants want to learn. You get to ask Terry any question you want about how to get published, and we will answer the most common questions on the call!

It’s a rare opportunity for writers to ask a book acquisitions editor a question. Many editors never teach at a public writer’s conference. To call an editor on the phone to orally pitch a book idea risks making more of a negative impression than a positive one.

However, next week, you will get to ask Terry a question-and hear his answers not only to your question, but also to questions others have that may not occur to you, or may occur to you later.

So go and register now for the teleseminar by asking Terry a question. When you do, you will also receive a free hour-long audio workshop from Terr called Straight Talk from the Editor, 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission.

Hope you can make it on the call, if this interests you. Remember, it’s free. If you don’t have unlimited long distance, you can listen to the webcast through your computer. If you can’t make the live call, sign up anyway-you’ll get the recording shortly after, along with the bonus gift when you sign up. You can’t lose, now, can you?

Ask Diane about Publishing

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a minute or two to take my survey and let me know what kinds of articles/information would be most helpful to you. I want to make sure I’m giving YOU what YOU want!

Thanks so much!

Teleseminar on 7 Costly Mistakes Will Happen–Just Not Yet! (Still time to vote on headline….)

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Some of you who read Article of the Week on “How to Turn an Article into a Press Release” and wrote to me about the link to sign up for the teleseminar.

Sorry about the confusion! The whole press release is meant to be a sample–it’s not the real McCoy yet. I will be doing that teleclass, but don’t worry–you’ll receive word in plenty of time, and you will be able to sign up. (more…)

Featured Resource–Simpleology (how to get more done faster)

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

When I think of resources to highlight for you, I try to pick things that will give you the most value in terms of the time, money, and/or energy required to use that resource.

I want to make you aware of resources that will enable you to write, publish, promote and sell your book/information product faster, better, and with less human effort.

This forces me to think through what’s been most valuable for me in terms of saving time, or what knowledge has allowed me to make a good living from my knowledge.

One of the first things that came to mind is Simpleology. (more…)

Author Law Recording Available

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

If you didn’t get to listen to the Author Law teleseminar last night, you can get the recording and listen. You might also want to check out the book, Author Law A to Z: A Desktop Guide to Writers’ Rights and Responsibilities.

New Article: “How to Turn an Article into a Press Release”

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

One of the keys to being a productive–and successful–author is learning how to repurpose your content.

This week’s article of the week will combine what you’ve been learning for the past two months–last month about articles, this month about press
releases–and show you how to repurpose your article into a press release.

The article itself is really a tutorial. You will see, step by step, exactly how I do it.

Why did I write this article?

Two reasons.

One, a subscriber asked me to. (So if you have a burning question, please ask it. Just click “Comment” below and leave your question. I may well write a whole article about it!)

Second, I myself want to do a teleseminar on one of my articles. To publicize the teleseminar, I will need a press release.

Since I had to write one anyway, I thought I’d turn it into a lesson for you all as well.

Multi-purposing, my friend. It’s the key to publishing today.

So read the article, which is really more of a tutorial.

Notice that I ask you to do something–and offer a prize if you do.

Get Free Advice about Publishing Matters from Intellectual Property Lawyers

Saturday, May 19th, 2007

Author Law A to ZNext Tuesday evening you have the opportunity to get your most burning question about authors rights and other legal matters answered by two of the top speakers in the area of publishing law.

Sallie Randolph and Anthony Elia are authors of “Author Law A to Z, A Desktop Guide to Writer Rights and Responsibilities,” in which they reveal straight-forward how-to advice in an easy to understand manner for anyone in publishing. (more…)

FreeIQ: Share Your Ideas, Get Exposure, Even Get Paid!

Thursday, May 17th, 2007

It’s very possible this site–freeIQ.com–will be bigger than YouTube.com. It’s created by a very savvy Internet guy who’s done other amazing things and seems to always be on the cutting edge of what’s new.

The site is in beta this week, but as of next week it goes live to everyone, and that’s why starting your account NOW will benefit you greatly.

Okay, so what is this freeIQ.com site anyway?

Free IQ is an amazing new Web 2.0 concept that takes the YouTube.com user added content concept and combines it with a Google-like search engine. (If you don’t know what Web 20.0 means, it’s what people are calling the most recent evolution of the Web, which takes advantage of all the ways people can connect and interact via common interests and affiliations.)

The REALLY brilliant piece is Free IQ focuses on educational, business and instructional content only - both free and paid. This is a great place for you to post your own articles and other information products and let people find you. It’s another way to get known. Another place to showcase who you are and what you do. Another great resource to also find other people and products that can help you learn whatever you need to.

What’s also very cool is that this new model allows you to be an affiliate for any or all of the paid content uploaded by other users.

Think about that for a moment and really let that sink in…. As amazing as it sounds, you actually get paid for promoting videos and content supplied by other people.

There are no hidden or additional costs to get a free account or to upgrade an account while the site is in beta. So visit the site, get your account and get ready to see the big picture… Also, get started as an affiliate, right NOW, while it’s still free.

“Resource of the Week” Features Best Stuff for Authors

Tuesday, May 15th, 2007

In my never-ending quest to find great resources that can help authors to “make a living from their book,” I come across a lot of resources.

Resources to help you write your book or other information product quickly or more efficiently.

Information that helps you make sense of the publishing game.

Resources of all kinds that help you promote and sell your book or information product.

I view it as part of my mission to sort through these resources and let you know which are truly worth the investment (whether it’s time or money; both are precious resources).

So, along with an “article of the week,” I will often recommend related resources you can check into.

In addition, I will feature a “resource of the week.”

I do my best to point you to no-cost resources whenever possible.

But some things are well worth the investment. I’ll tell you honestly about my experience with those products as well.

If you are considering investing in a resource that I haven’t mentioned, feel free to email me about what it is (include the url please if applicable). I’ll tell you if I know anything about it, or will research it or help you in any way I can to decide whether it’s worth it.

Listen, there are lots of scams out there, especially oriented toward the many people who want to publish a book. At one point considered putting together a report on who these scammers are.

However, I think it’s a better use of my time and energy to point you to the great resources that also exist.

So check out the current recommended resource. (It’s actually last week’s, so please look at it now, since there will be a new resource in a day or two. I just somehow didn’t post this last week like I should have.)

If you’ve wanted to start a freelance career, there’s a brand-new class starting this week (Thursday) on how to start and manage a freelance business. Listen to the preview podcast of what successful freelance writer Yvonne Perry will be covering. Then, if this is for you, sign up for The Working Writer’s Coaching Program so you won’t miss a call. (Recordings are sent the next day.)

If you want to write for children, check out what Suzanne Lieurance has for you as well–lots of goodies!

New Article: “Anatomy of a Successful Press Release”

Monday, May 14th, 2007

Media people–editors, reporters, television and radio producers, freelance writers–are among the busiest, most hassled, and information-overloaded people on the planet.

They receive hundreds of press kits, review books, email and faxed press releases every day.

How does yours stand a chance of being read?

If you’ve been following this month’s series of Your Book Publishing Coach articles, so far you’ve learned:

You may be wondering by now, “So exactly how do I write
a good press release? What needs to be included, exactly?”

Wonder no more. This week’s article, “Anatomy of a Successful Press Release,” has all the answers. Check it out!