I am hoping my books do not take 3 weeks to come in. I can't wait to get them. It has only been 3 days since I ordered , so it will probably be awhile still. In the meantime, I have been researching author social sites to join. I want to learn from those who have been around for awhile. I joined "AuthorsDen.com", "AutorNation.com"and "The Book Marketing Network." I read lots of good ideas on the forum of AuthorsDen and their or many groups to join on The Book Marketing Network. I recommend these sites for all authors. I also found this site that has a list of social networks to try out. I plan to check out more of them. http://www.bookmarket.com/socialnetworks.htm
I have also been working on getting author's fan page members up. I have posted my goal of being in the 3 digits and asked for my friends and families help. I told them that if I get my numbers up, then people who do not know me will be more likely to join and take a look at my book. I went from 44 to 91 in one day. I am almost at my goal. Then I will make a new goal. Some who joined even "Shared" my page with their friends on facebook. So that was an added benefit. I do plan to ask my members to "Share" the page with their friends and family soon. I just want to finish concentrating on getting new members quickly though for now.
I have also been researching marketing ideas. This link has many ideas. http://www.bookmarket.com/
It had links to awards, podcasting, book trailers, and lots more. I found this link on how to make your own book trailer. I may try that or get my creative son to make it for me. My publisher does offer this service at a price. I have seen their work and know they would make a wonderful book trailer for me. I would need to save up some money for it. Right now, I would like to use any extra money to order more books. So I am thinking of making my own for now using this link: http://hubpages.com/hub/Create-Your-Own-Book-Trailer-Free
Another idea I want to work on is to create a page with lesson plans on it for teachers to use after reading my book to their class. I would pass this page out as they buy the book. I plan to attach it to my soon to be website that the publisher is making for me. I thought I could blog some lesson ideas or put them on my facebook status.
I have lots to do before my vacation is over. I guess I'd better get started!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Marketing Phone Call
I was able to talk to my marketing director today. It was our first phone conversation. He told me that my book would be released on Feb. 15th!! I'm excited about that. We talked about some marketing ideas. I asked about having a book signing at "Chick Fil-A." He said the publishing company had a good relationship with them so he would set something up. The reason I wanted to go to Chick Fil-A is that it as filled with so many kids and that is the audience my book is for. I was glad to hear that others have done this in the past. I felt like I was on the right track. We also talked about book signings at school and release party signings.
I placed my first book order today too. The publisher had a special going on, so I will be getting bookmarks, push cards, business cards, some t-shirts and on line radio advertising along with my order. I can't wait to see what the bookmarks will look like. I ordered books to take with me on book signings and to have on hand for anyone who wants an autographed copy.
I asked if the audio part had to be finished before anyone could buy my book. He told me that the audio takes a few months and that it would not hold up the release of the book. People can order the book as soon as it is on line.
So now I feel like my dream of being a published author is coming true. Each step takes me closer and closer. I can't wait to hear who receives my book first from the on-line orders on the publisher's website.
I placed my first book order today too. The publisher had a special going on, so I will be getting bookmarks, push cards, business cards, some t-shirts and on line radio advertising along with my order. I can't wait to see what the bookmarks will look like. I ordered books to take with me on book signings and to have on hand for anyone who wants an autographed copy.
I asked if the audio part had to be finished before anyone could buy my book. He told me that the audio takes a few months and that it would not hold up the release of the book. People can order the book as soon as it is on line.
So now I feel like my dream of being a published author is coming true. Each step takes me closer and closer. I can't wait to hear who receives my book first from the on-line orders on the publisher's website.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Audio Voicing
My book moved into the audio voicing stage in November. I was sent to a site to choose from a few different voices. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I had one of my sons help me with this. I stared at the characters on my book as I listened to each voice. I turned in my top 3 choices. I am now waiting to hear back with a sample for me to ok. The next step will be checking the narration for errors. After that the book will move into the artwork stage. This is where they take the artwork from the book and fit the packaging for the audio book. I sent the audio department an email today to see when I would be sent the sample.
A week ago, I noticed that my book was placed on the Publishers on line book store. So I decided to go ahead and create a fan page on facebook and begin to tell my friends about it. I shared the link to my book and people started ordering! I was thrilled. It was hard to go to sleep after that. I also bought a journal to start writing down marketing ideas that I learn about from others or think of on my own. I found my publisher's facebook page and joined that. I began reading and meeting other authors. I have asked many questions and have been given some great advice. Some of them became fans of my facebook page and I became fans of theirs. It is nice to finally meet other authors from the same publishing company. I wish I would have found the Publisher's site a long time ago.
I am waiting till after Christmas to call the marketing director. I want to ask him if the early orders will be sent out yet, even if the audio part isn't finished yet. I will need to place an order so I will have books on hand to begin selling before the official release date.
A week ago, I noticed that my book was placed on the Publishers on line book store. So I decided to go ahead and create a fan page on facebook and begin to tell my friends about it. I shared the link to my book and people started ordering! I was thrilled. It was hard to go to sleep after that. I also bought a journal to start writing down marketing ideas that I learn about from others or think of on my own. I found my publisher's facebook page and joined that. I began reading and meeting other authors. I have asked many questions and have been given some great advice. Some of them became fans of my facebook page and I became fans of theirs. It is nice to finally meet other authors from the same publishing company. I wish I would have found the Publisher's site a long time ago.
I am waiting till after Christmas to call the marketing director. I want to ask him if the early orders will be sent out yet, even if the audio part isn't finished yet. I will need to place an order so I will have books on hand to begin selling before the official release date.
Graphic Design Stage
After my illustrations were complete, my book as moved into the graphic design phase in October. My designer started with the cover first. She sent me 3 different ones and said to keep in mind my customers. So I decided to take all three to my 2nd grade class and let them vote on the one they liked. They were divided between two. I asked them what they liked about both and then sent an email to my designer asking her if she could combine the two. She did and so the cover was finalized.
The next phase was the Initial Proof, which is the layout design. She took my manuscript and made it look like a book. She integrated the illustrations. Once she was done, I had to ok it. I needed to make sure the visual experience matched the tone of the book. This is the time when I needed to pay attention to fonts, font size, formatting, and the spread - what the book will look like on the inside. I was so excited to see this part. It was the first time I saw all the illustrations. I showed it to a few friends and they loved it. I was impressed with my illustrator. She did a great job.
Then we went to the Final Proof phase. The designer continued to work on the layout of the inside. She created the back cover and spine using the backmatter I created awhile back. The backmatter is the teaser about the book. She also put in a section about the author and a picture. When she was done, she sent me a copy in the mail to be checked over. I was so excited. I brought it to school and showed it to a few people. I even read it to my class and had them write down their favorite part and illustrate it. I then took it home and looked over it trying to find any mistakes. If I had found any, I was suppose to mark directly on the book with red ink and visit a link to get a correction form. I was fortunate that I didn't need it. My book was fine. So I had to mail back the book, so they could use it as a color match for the final product . I really wanted to keep it, but I mailed it in as quickly as I could so that the next phase could begin.
The next phase was the Initial Proof, which is the layout design. She took my manuscript and made it look like a book. She integrated the illustrations. Once she was done, I had to ok it. I needed to make sure the visual experience matched the tone of the book. This is the time when I needed to pay attention to fonts, font size, formatting, and the spread - what the book will look like on the inside. I was so excited to see this part. It was the first time I saw all the illustrations. I showed it to a few friends and they loved it. I was impressed with my illustrator. She did a great job.
Then we went to the Final Proof phase. The designer continued to work on the layout of the inside. She created the back cover and spine using the backmatter I created awhile back. The backmatter is the teaser about the book. She also put in a section about the author and a picture. When she was done, she sent me a copy in the mail to be checked over. I was so excited. I brought it to school and showed it to a few people. I even read it to my class and had them write down their favorite part and illustrate it. I then took it home and looked over it trying to find any mistakes. If I had found any, I was suppose to mark directly on the book with red ink and visit a link to get a correction form. I was fortunate that I didn't need it. My book was fine. So I had to mail back the book, so they could use it as a color match for the final product . I really wanted to keep it, but I mailed it in as quickly as I could so that the next phase could begin.
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