Book Promotion: The Foundation
July 8, 2011 by admin
Filed under Writing for Children
by Karen Cioffi
Every author has thought it, said it, and heard it: promotion is the roll-up-your-sleeves, and dig-in part of writing. It’s the much more difficult and time consuming aspect of writing that every author needs to become involved with . . . if he wants to sell his books.
To actually sell a book, you need to have a quality product. This is the bare-bottom, first rung of book promotion . . . the foundation.
The Foundation
Create a Quality Product
The very first step in book promotion is to create a quality product. Hopefully, you noticed I said create a quality product, not just a good story. What this means is that all aspects of your book need to be top notch.
A. The Story
To start at the very beginning, the first factor to be dealt with is to be sure your story has all the essential elements. According to Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, there are five major elements of a story: characters, setting, plot, point of view, and theme.
All the elements of a story should complement each other, should move each other forward, draw the reader in, and end with a satisfying conclusion. They should work together to create a story that will be remembered.
Suppose your story is action packed and plot driven, but it lacks believable and sympathetic characters, it will fall short. The same holds true if you have a believable and sympathetic character, but the story lacks movement. Again, it will be lacking. As with all things in life balance is necessary, the same holds true when writing a story.
B. Join a Critique Group
Yes, this is part of creating a quality story. Even experienced authors depend on the unique perspective and extra eyes that each critique member provides. They will help find: grammatical errors, holes in your story, unclear sentences and paragraphs, overuse of particular words, and weak verbs, among other elements.
They will also provide guidance and suggestions.
Check out this article for more information about joining a critique group:
Critiques are Essential
http://www.karencioffi.com/2010/08/critiques-are-essential/
C. Editing
Yes, again, this is a necessary step to take to ensure your manuscript is in the best shape possible before it becomes a book. Look for an experienced and qualified editor to help tweak your manuscript. But, before you send it off to be edited, self-edit it first. There are a number of articles out there in cyberspace on self-editing. Take the time and read a few, then go over your manuscript.
D. Cover and Design
This step is more relevant to those who decide to self-publish or use a Print-on-Demand (POD). The cover is the first impression a reader will usually have of your book, next is the interior design. These aspects are just as important as the story itself. I’m sure you’re familiar with the expression that you only get one shot at making a good first impression. Well, you can relate that to your book cover.
Don’t skimp on time, effort, or money when coming up with your book’s cover and design.
Tip: If you are writing a children’s book, do not do your own illustrations unless you’re a professional illustrator.
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Karen Cioffi is an author and ghostwriter (for businesses and individuals). For writing and marketing information visit http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com and sign up for her free newsletter, A Writer’s World. You’ll get 2 free e-books on writing and marketing in the process, and two more free e-books just for stopping by.
Summer Reading Contest – Win a Manuscript Critique!
Children’s author and CWCC instructor Margo Dill is hosting a contest on her blog. You can win a free edit/critique of 10 pages of your novel or a short story from Margo. (You can give it to a friend or family member (including kids) if you don’t have anything.)
All you have to do is leave the title of a book you are reading this summer and if you would recommend it or not. 
Contest goes until July 31. Winner will be picked from random.org.
Find out more Here
This Week on Book Bites for Kids
Join us online every Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 CDT for our talk show about children’s books – Book Bites for Kids.
We’ll give information about the CWCC, tips about writing for children and the business of writing for children, plus exciting news from our club members and instructors who have new books!
This Wednesday, co-hosts Suzanne Lieurance and Donna McDine talk to CWCC member Kathy Stemke about her new picture book, Sh, Sh, Sh! Let the Baby Sleep!
To listen to the show, just go to www.bookbitesforkids.com at 2:00 CDT on Wednesday afternoon. You may also call in if you’d like to ask a question or make a comment – 1-646-716-9239!
July 6th – Evaluating Your Success Plan’s Effectiveness During the 2nd Quarter of 2011 and Refining It for the 3rd Quarter of the Year
July 6, 2011 by admin
Filed under July 2011 Teleclasses
Our first teleclass for July takes place LIVE on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 7:00 P.M. CDT. The topic is Evaluating Your Success Plan’s Effectiveness During the 2nd Quarter of 2011 and Refining It for the 3rd Quarter of the Year.
Children’s author and Coordinator of the CWCC, Suzanne Lieurance always presents the first teleclass of the month, which includes a lesson and assignment.
This teleclass will cover…
* What is a Success Plan for the Year – Review
* Evaluating Your Success Plan’s Effectiveness During the 2nd
Quarter of 2011
* How and Why to Make Changes to Your Success Plan for Greater
Success in the 3rd Quarter of 2011
* July Assignment: Refine Your Success Plan and Submit for
Review
* Answers to Your Questions about Creating Your Success Plan
To receive an email invitation to this LIVE event, join the CWCC now. You’ll receive an invitation to each of our LIVE weekly teleclasses, plus the links to the replays. Plus, you can submit a manuscript of up to 1,000 words for professional critique EACH week.
July 15 – The Importance of Setting in Your Story
July 5, 2011 by admin
Filed under July 2011 Teleclasses
Pat McCarthy will present a 55-minute LIVE teleclass on Friday, July 15, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. CDT. The topic for this teleclass is The Importance of Setting in our Story or Book.
In this teleclass, you’ll learn how careful attention to setting can enhance your story or book. We’ll cover:
* What Is Setting?
* The Time in Which your Story Is Set
* The Place in Which your Story Is Set
* How to Make the Setting Come Alive
* Questions and Answers about Story Settings
To receive an email invitation to this LIVE event, join the CWCC now. You’ll receive an invitation to each of our LIVE weekly teleclasses, plus the links to the replays. Plus, you can submit a manuscript of up to 1,000 words for professional critique EACH week.
July 20th – Structuring Your Story
July 4, 2011 by admin
Filed under July 2011 Teleclasses
Margo Dill will present a live teleclass called Structuring Your Children’s Story on Wednesday, July 20th, 2011, at 6:00 pm CST.
To receive an email invitation to this LIVE event, join the CWCC now. You’ll receive an invitation to each of our LIVE weekly teleclasses, plus the links to the replays. Plus, you can submit a manuscript of up to 1,000 words for professional critique EACH week.
July 28 – How to Edit Your Manuscript
July 4, 2011 by admin
Filed under July 2011 Teleclasses
Margot Finke will present a live 55-minute teleclass called How to Edit Your Manuscript on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at 3:00 P.M. CDT.
To receive an email invitation to this LIVE event, join the CWCC now. You’ll receive an invitation to each of our LIVE weekly teleclasses, plus the links to the replays. Plus, you can submit a manuscript of up to 1,000 words for professional critique EACH week.
Tele-Workshop for Advanced Membership – July 14th – Pacing the Plot & Pitfalls to Avoid
July 2, 2011 by admin
Filed under July 2011 Teleclasses
On Thursday, July 14, 2011, Nancy I. Sanders will present a special tele-workshop for the Advanced Members of the CWCC at noon CDT. The topic of this tele-workshop will be Pacing the Plot and Pitfalls to Avoid
Page by page in a picture book and chapter by chapter in a children’s novel, the pace of the plot can make or break your manuscript. We’ll look at examples of effective and well-paced plots and learn strategies to improve your own.
This tele-workshop will cover:
* A look at the pros and how published authors pace winning plots
* Outlines and charts
* Timelines
* Pitfalls to Avoid
* Answers to your questions about pacing the plot
Why I Love the CWCC
I love being a member of CWCC for the networking, the lessons, the learning experiences I have gained from so many talented members, and the motivation and inspiration to keep improving.
The teleclasses are filled with great information that can be applied to writing in any genre but really help hone the skills of those who write for children.
I have been a member of the CWCC since 2008 and now have the confidence to write, revise, and submit my work to publishers and magazines. The CWCC has opened doors that I never would have recognized without the help of club members and Suzanne.
Find out more about Terri by visiting her online at http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com and www.terriforehand.com
Tips I’ve Gained from the CWCC
July 1, 2011 by admin
Filed under Writing for Children
When I first joined The Children’s Writers Coaching Club, I didn’t know what to expect and was apprehensive. I had been writing for years, with no publishing success. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. I knew how to write, but I didn’t know that there were key differences between writing and writing for children. There are such subtle differences, unless someone points them out to you, you’ll never be published. It’s taken me a year to start putting different techniques together. The CWCC has made a world of difference in my writing career.
I used to jump from one project to another. I had so many stories; I couldn’t get them down fast enough. However, I’ve learned how unproductive this is. I’m finally learning to work on one project at a time. That’s not easy for me. However, I am managing to change my writing ways by using the strategies of the club.
Even though I had meant to try it for a long time, making a calendar seemed silly. I had read in several articles that this was a useful way to manage one’s writing time. However, I never knew how to go about it. Because of Suzanne’s monthly teleclass (which includes a lesson and assingment) and her explanations on how to use these methods to better my writing, I have begun to master the calendar. I am now listing one children’s writing project for each week, I can make strides in my writing. Taking a week, gives me time for writing a first draft, editing it, writing my second draft, and then sending it into Suzanne for her critique.
If you can, call into the teleclasses, there’s nothing like being on the phone with the other writers. I can’t always make the teleclasses because of work. However, Suzanne sends a link for the replay. Even if you don’t participate, being there and listening to other humans is helpful.
Suzanne and the other CWCC instructors had encouraged me to write for non paying and low paying markets. I did as they suggested and received acceptances. These writing projects didn’t pay me cash, but they are publishing credits on my resume. By writing for these markets, I have also gotten over my fear of sending my writing off to publishers. I also don’t wait for the mail carrier to come back with my illusive check. Once I send an assignment off, I get working on another. I won’t say that I don’t check my email constantly for acceptances, but the difference is that now I keep writing.
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Visit Marge Gower online at www.margegower.com and find out more about her recent publishing credits in our Member Spotlight.
