Publication - even more Radio Interviews

2 January 2012, Publication - even more Radio 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. 

The two types of interviews for the radio are phone and station.  In a station interview, you go to the radio station and either record or do a live on air interview.  In a phone interview, you call the station and accomplish a live or air interview.  Sometimes the interviewer will give you a list of questions.  Sometimes, they will ask for a list of questions from you.  The best approach is to send the interviewer a list of suggested questions.  For a novel, here are some great interview questions:

1.  Why did you write this novel?
2.  How did you research your subject?
3.  Who is your main character?
4.  What is your main character like?
5.  Are you like your main character?
6.  What is your next book?
7.  Will you read us a short selection from your novel?

To prepare for any interview--be able to answer these kinds of questions.  Prepare a short and I mean short selection and practice it.  If you don't, you'll sound like a dork.  It is always a good idea to have a selection of your writing ready to read.  People always (for interviews) like to hear an author read from their works.

I'll tell you next questions not to use--ever.
I give you more ideas on radio 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/.

Marketing - to Publishers even more Electronic Press

16 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers even more Electronic Press

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.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  The point I am making about electronic books is that if you self publish (especailly if you do it on your own with a free service) you must do everything to make your books appear like a carefully designed and published work. 

Take a look at electronically published books.  Those that are published by a regular publishing house look like finished books.  Their pages are crafted and designed and look professional.  In the development of a book, the whole isn't just the editing, the writing, and etc.  The whole of a professional book is the quality of the overall work.  A professional publisher makes the work have this finished look.  That is something you must strive for in your works.  If you insist on self publishing electronically (or in any way), you need to be sensitive to this fact.  You need to make your electronically published book look as much like a professionally published work as you can.  This won't guarantee success, but it certainly can't hurt.

More tomorrow about electronically published books.

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/.