Here in the UK, the London Book Fair begins today and continues for the next three days (16th to 18th April).
It is described as a “global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. With over 400 seminars and events, 1,500 international exhibiting companies and 24,500 publishing professionals, The London Book Fair encompasses the broad spectrum of the publishing industry.”
It is one of the main book fairs which take place each year for professionals in the book trade alongside Book Expo America, the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. There are also many smaller yet worthwhile book fairs and exhibitions internationally.
Many authors wonder if it is worth attending these trade fairs and many commentators say that it isn’t. My view is that it can be a valuable experience if you approach it with the right mindset. You also need to plan your visit well in advance and wear sensible shoes in the knowledge that you’ll be on your feet for most of the day!
It is important to be realistic when thinking through a book fair visit, especially if you have a vision of meeting agents and editors to present your book to them. Most publishing professionals will have filled their schedule of 30 minute meetings well in advance of the fair taking place.
Having said that, serendipity can, and does, occur at book fairs.
A book proposal is the single most important key to unlocking the publishing door for writers who are looking for a traditional publishing deal and for those who choose to self-publish.
Clarity about the core information for presenting your book successfully to your market will make all the difference to your potential success as an author.
Despite the abundance of advice currently available on this topic, many writers remain confused by the different requirements from agents and publishers.
Others experience nagging doubts about whether or not they have interpreted the guidelines correctly or done their book justice.
When you are new to writing, there is inevitably a great deal to learn as you work your way towards becoming a published author. This learning happens at many different levels and is an important part of the journey.
If you’re committed to your craft, the learning doesn’t stop once you know how to write a first draft or complete a good book proposal. There are always deeper levels of conscious creativity to explore within yourself and more to benefit from knowing about all aspects of authorship.
There is a great deal of information from many different “experts” around these days and making sure you are learning from the best is an important lesson in itself.
So what criteria should you use to judge the quality of the information you discover?
Here are some general guidelines:
1. Only take advice from those getting the results you seek.
The first time you look for an outside opinion on your writing represents an important threshold. Whether you want feedback on your ideas or comments about your writing style, you may feel drawn to ask the people you already know for their views.
Understandable though this may be, I’d like to sound a note of caution. Well-meaning friends, family members and colleagues can, despite the best intentions, lead you astray.
When consulting a professional, make sure that they are measurably successful and genuinely getting the results you are looking for.
If you are a first-time author and don’t yet have a track record, one of the most challenging tasks is to encourage people to take you and your writing seriously.
In the early stages of the traditional route to market this will simply mean inspiring agents and publishers to read your work properly.
Beyond signing a contract, booksellers will also need an incentive to place a reasonable order for your book. Capturing your readers’ attention should also be high on your priority list.
One of the ways you can achieve this is to secure supportive endorsements for your book to establish your credibility as an author.
So what should you aim for?
Endorsements should be fairly short and they should naturally highlight the strengths of your book and/or you as the author.
Ideally you will have one or more in place before you approach publishing professionals and include this information in your proposal. An ‘in principle’ agreement from an eminent person in your field will also help.
Support from successful published authors works well although recognisable names from most walks of life (as long as they are selected carefully and enhance the perception of your work) will make also a difference.
Happy Xmas Eve to all aspiring and published authors!
Before signing off for the festivities this weekend and a winter retreat next week, I’m inspired to share this short video with you about out Core Training Program for 2011. You’ll hear about the topics we’re going to cover and how the program works.
If you’re interested in participating, please note that the monthly payment option is only available until next Friday 31 December. Read more and register your place here http://www.iaccw.com/49/2011-core-training
Enjoy watching and have a fabulous festive season. Looking forward to catching up with you again in 2011!
If I only had the chance to give you one tip for success on your writer’s journey, this would be it – write a first-class book proposal to give your book the best possible chance of success.
Even if you are self-publishing, compiling all of the information you need to include in each section of the book proposal is an immensely worthwhile investment of your time and energy.
With traditional publishing, the book proposal is the key to open the publishing door for you to achieve your full potential as an author.
With self-publishing, having all of the most important information easily accessible in one document means that you have the basis of a plan to work to when it comes to taking your book successfully out to the marketplace.
with Julia McCutchen, Nick Williams, Edward Peppit and Judy Piatkus
Do you feel the call to share your unique and authentic voice to help and inspire others?
Have you dreamed of discovering the book inside you but don’t know how to make it a reality?
Writing a book and becoming a published author is a fabulously fulfilling process – a creative journey that can open doors to amazing opportunities, enriching your life on many levels. Today, being a published author is a crucial part of your entrepreneurial mix and can firmly establish your credibility in your chosen field and the world beyond. This unique one day workshop will provide everything you need to help you on your writing journey. With guidance from a panel of highly successful, publishing giants, you’ll be taken through each step of the process.
On the day you will learn:
The power of authenticity and how to access your authentic voice.
The secrets to unpacking and structuring your ideas into a book format.
The publication process and what your options are.
A useful action plan for achieving publication success.
The current trends in personal growth publishing.
The importance of creating your expert platform to leverage your material.
This workshop is designed for you if you have a story to tell. If sharing ideas is part of your purpose in your business and life, and you want to write a non-fiction book in the area of business, being entrepreneurial or personal and spiritual growth. If you have expertise and ideas that you want to share through your book then you will love this day and will come away thoroughly equipped to start your creative journey.
For more information and to book your place, click here …
Have you ever wondered how you are going to attract the attention of agents, publishers and readers with your book ideas when there are so many other writers trying to do the same? You know that your approach / story / philosophy is different but how do you communicate that and ensure your voice is heard?
In this interview we will talk about ways for you to find the words you need in order to market yourself successfully. You will learn how to talk about your Unique Abilities with passion and clarity, and by the end you will know:
The value of effective marketing for authors today
How utilizing Unique Abilities will make you stand out from the crowd
The critical differences between your “target” and your “ideal” agent/publisher/reader
Simple methods for communicating your uniqueness in your marketing
How to build your Unique Ability portfolio to build your author platform
Lisa Cherney is a marketing expert and President of Conscious Marketing, now celebrating its 10th year. Lisa’s mission is to help business owners find their authentic marketing voice so they can attract their ideal clients. As co-author of Inspiration to Realization: A Women’s Guide to Business, Personal & Spiritual Fulfillment, Lisa has the personal and professional expertise to adapt her award-winning and insightful approach to showing authors how to engage with successful marketing strategies to support publishing success. For more information see www.consciousmarketing.com
Date: Thursday 9 September Time:16:00 BST / 11:00 EST
Want to listen to this teleseminar interview for free but not yet an IACCW member?
Find out about how to do so and discover the other benefits of becoming a member of the International Association of Conscious & Creative Writers (IACCW) by clicking here …
I hope you’re having a good week so far as we head into the new month of August.
This is just a quick courtesy reminder that today, Tuesday 3 August is the registration deadline for the Writer’s Journey Raise the Bar Individual Coaching Program.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to check it out, you can read all about it, watch a short video and access the audio recording of the Preview Call by clicking here …
This individual coaching program has been created for writers at any stage of the writing journey to benefit from professional feedback, guidance, structure and support.
My commitment to you is that I will meet you exactly where you are on your writer’s journey and guide you to raise the bar to the next level – whatever that is for you – so that you make solid progress and experience tangible results.
Raising the Bar on the Writer’s Journey means knowing what you already have in place, understanding precisely what you need to do next, and applying yourself consciously and creatively to consistent action! Raising the bar is an integral part of the journey to successful published authorship and needs to be applied at every stage along the way.
Join me on Tuesday 27 July at 8pm (BST/3pm EST) for a FREE Preview Call* to present the Raise the Bar Individual Coaching Program and learn the secrets of successfully raising the bar on your writer’s journey.
I’ll also be sharing with you the details of the * 4 month * Raise the Bar Individual Coaching Program for just * 10 writers * starting in September(registration closes Tues 3 August).The Raise the Bar Individual Coaching Program has been created for writers at any stage of the writing journey to benefit from professional feedback, guidance, structure and support.
If you’re ready to learn more about raising the bar on your writer’s journey, why not join me for an inspiring and interactive Preview call on Tuesday 27 July at 8pm (BST/3pm EST).
Here in the UK, the London Book Fair begins today and continues for the next three days (16th to 18th April).
