Publication - Character Interviews

14 January 2012, Publication - Character Interviews

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  Book signings.
14.  Book trailers
15.  ...

You can be interviewed for print media, for radio, for TV, on blogs, Internet general, character interviews, trailers just to name a few. 

I've thought about them a lot, but I haven't done one yet--that is a character interview.  These are really popular and a means to get more interest in your writing and novels.  They are interviews you make up with the characters from your books.  Obviously, these are fictional interviews made with your fictional characters.  They can be engaging and they can excite interest in your works.  Mainly, they make great blog fodder and can be added to your secrets pages.

The main question is what questions should you ask (answer) with your characters.  There are two ways to go here.  You can ask questions similar to those you might use when developing a character, or you can use questions you might use when interviewing a person.  I suggest the latter.  So, the kind of questions you might ask:

1.  Tell us about your early life?
2.  What made you choose your occupation?
3.  Why did you move to your current location?
4.  What are your interests outside of work?
6.  What do you intend to do in the future?

That's a good beginning and covers the gamut of a character from the beginning to the future.  That's the great thing about these interviews, you can make up your questions.
We'll move on to trailers, tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - General Internet Interviews Places

12 January 2012, Publication - General Internet Interviews Places

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  Book signings.
14.  Book trailers
15.  ...

You can be interviewed for print media, for radio, for TV, on blogs, Internet general, character interviews, trailers just to name a few. 

There are a host of sites to post information about you and/or your books.  Here are some:
http://www.writers.net/writers/57702  This is my page on Writer's Net.  It is an author connection site--not that great.
http://www.authorsden.com/lioneldalford  This is my page on Author's Den.  This is a pretty good site for putting up your information.
http://www.filedby.com/author/l_d_alford/1406989/ This is my page on Filedby.  You can put up a host of information and sell your books.
http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com/ This is a book fan site.  You can find many of these on the net.  I'm a member of this site.
http://www.scifan.com/writers/aa/AlfordDL.asp  This is my page on the scifan site.  This checks your books to ensure you have science fiction works.

These are examples of places you can put your book and author information.  There are many many more.  Check out the web and you can many permutations of these types of sites.  There value is likely limited, but they are free and require very little management.
Let's move on to character interviews, tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - TV Interviews Demeanor

7 January 2012, Publication - TV Interviews Demeanor

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  Book signings.
14.  Book trailers
15.  ...

You can be interviewed for print media, for radio, for TV, on blogs, Internet general, character interviews, trailers just to name a few. 

Television is a visual media and much media is moving toward the visual arena (look a U-Tube, book trailers, etc.).  More important than dress (I can dress up anyone to look good--just look at mass murderers during their trial) is demeanor, that is, how you present yourself.  Of course, dress is an important part of this, but it is only a small part.  You've noted people in shirt sleeves who with a single word took over the attention of a room.  You've likely also noted a well dressed and handsome person who shut down a conversation the moment they opened their mouth.  My intent isn't to make you into something or someone you aren't, but rather to accentuate your positives and skills.  Additionally, you might want to change some bad or adverse habits to become a more personable person.

What is a personable person with a good demeanor.  That is a person who has a pleasant appearance.  Dress, hygiene, fitness, all these play into a pleasant appearance.  You need to have an engaging smile and personality.  Practice smiling.  Have an upbeat attitude.  Don't interrupt too much (a little interruption is okay, but a person who constantly interrupts is a bore).  Don't hog conversations.  Be engaging.  Introduce yourself to others.  Speak to people you don't know.  Have a grasp of the important. 

I'll discuss things to be cautious of in interviews and conversations, tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - TV Interviews Dress

6 January 2012, Publication - TV Interviews Dress

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  Book signings.
14.  ...

You can be interviewed for print media, for radio, for TV, on blogs, Internet general, character interviews, trailers just to name a few. 

Television is a visual media, but all media are partially dependent on visual impressions, and media is moving more and more toward the visual.  The evidence of this is in facebook or other social media where pictures are become as ubiquitous as text.  You must keep this in mind whenever and where ever you are.  If you want to be respected as a writer, you need to portray the appearance and demeanor of a writer.  This means, generally, looking like a writer for your topic area.

Your demeanor and your appearance are especially important for television.  Makeup is necessary and usually, the station will provide makeup.  Micing is a very important subject that we will address at some point.  The station will adequately mic you.  However, you are in charge of your clothing and your demeanor.  Clothing and demeanor are critical.  I discussed clothing yesterday.  You need to match your clothing to your style and topic.  If you don't have any style--then get an opinion.  Dressed for success is a great place to start.  Don't use the opinion of your family unless they are professionally involved in some aspect of visual media.
 
Demeanor is as important as clothing.  You don't want to come across as arrogant, but you want to be seen as an expert.  You don't want to give the impression you know it all, but you want to leave an impression of knowledge.  You don't want to to be thought of as odd or weird, but you want to leave an idea of unique and special.  You achieve this through your approach to your subject and your demeanor.  Your audience will give you the benefit of the doubt if you appear up front like you know something (that you fit into their impression of a writer).  So, that closes the loop.  You want to dress like your subject area.

I'll get into more details on demeanor, tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - TV Interviews

5 January 2012, Publication - TV Interviews

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  Book signings.
14.  ...

You can be interviewed for print media, for radio, for TV, on blogs, Internet general, character interviews, trailers just to name a few. 

Television interviews are similar to radio interviews.  They are, however, more difficult to get.  As always, and especially with television, you will not usually be interviewed because of your novel--it will be the topic of your novel that is the focus.  You do have to worry with a television interview about how you appear.  So although this information applies mainly to television interviews, it also applies any time you interact with the public.

Appearance matters, and it matters more to authors than to many other fields.  You want to portray yourself to fit in the genre and your area of expertise.  This also applies to your pictures.  If your topic is studious and intellectual, you want to portray that.  When I speak and interview for my historical fiction, I try to give an appearance of a professor.  This is easy because I have been a professor and instructor for a long time.  When I interview or speak about these books, I wear a coat and gussy up a bit.  Not too much, I wouldn't wear a coat and tie, but enough so the audience sees me as an academician. 

If you are a YA (young adult) writer, you want to have the appearance that you are somewhat connected to YA.  You should wear something stylish that fits with that crowd.  A suit and tie would be out of place. 

A suit and tie would be very appropriate if you are a business writer or if you are writing about a business subject.  If you are a preacher or a priest and your writing is topical on these subjects, you might want to wear a collar or a suit.  You get the idea--you should portray your focus topic in your dress and your demeanor.

I'll get into more details on dress and demeanor, tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.

Publication - more Print Interviews

30 December 2011, Publication - more Print Interviews

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  ...

You can be interviewed for print media, for radio, for TV, on blogs, Internet general, character interviews, trailers just to name a few. 

So, for any interview, how do you keep the interviewer on topic (that is your book).  Your interview should focus on "Why you wrote the book."  That's all there is to it.  If every question and every answer comes back to this specific point, you win.  With this answer, you will be able to answer the interviewer's questions and, at the same time, get out information on your book.  You might want to prep this specific question and answer before your interview. 

Just answer this question "Why did you write the book."  Encapsulated in this question (and its answer) is every single important point an interviewer can ask.  You can also turn every question into an answer that is based on this.  For example, let's say you wrote a novel about the civil war.  Any question the interviewer asks can be answered, "I wrote this novel to answer that question for myself," then you can expand.  Don't expand too much.  Give the interviewer a few choice quotations that come from your novel or that about your novel.  You can also use the teasers that you developed for marketing your novel as the basis for your interview questions.

So remember, keep on topic and try to get a word in about your novel.  I give you more ideas on this tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.