Monday Morning Mashup: 4/9/12

MASH-UP

A creative combination

or mixing of content

from different sources.

This week, the theme of my mashup is what to do once your book is published. Reading these links must have brought me some positive-thinking energy, because yesterday (yes, Easter Sunday) I received an email from the director/editor of a press that has been reviewing Broken Dolls, and this morning, I have a meeting to discuss his interest. I’m trying to control my excitement, though I believe in enjoying the journey.I’ll post more about this potential good news once I have confirmed it really is good news.

For now, I hope you enjoy this week’s mashup. Maybe reading it will bring you some positive energy, too!

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BookBaby posted a great article on “How to Throw a Book Launch Party That Isn’t a Waste of Time.” I have to say, in all the seminars and conferences I’ve attended, this is something I’ve never heard discussed. The article provides a step-by-step list of exactly how to do it, including an itinerary for the party, and a link to show you how to create a digital press kit. This is a keeper, fellow writers. And talk about positive energy! http://blog.bookbaby.com/2012/03/how-to-throw-a-book-launch-party-that-isnt-a-waste-of-time/?utm_source=BBeNews&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=BB1214

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Another thing I hadn’t learned until recently is that once your book is published, you may have to solicit reviews for your book. All this time I must have thought reviews just magically appeared. Science fiction and fantasy author Krista D. Ball posted “Five Easy Steps to Request a Review: For Writers.” As I commented on her blog, it’s too bad much of what she listed is not common sense, but sadly, it appears it’s not. I found Items #1 and #4 most helpful. And did you know that reviewers also have policies we writers must follow when querying, just as publishers and agents? http://kristadball.com/2012/01/5-easy-steps-to-request-a-review-for-writers/

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Writer, Editor and Teacher, Kelly Davio, posted an article about her ongoing search for lists of books put out by small presses, titled “What I’m Reading: In Praise of Lists.” In her post, she says, “over the years, I’ve been sorry to see that many ‘must-read’ lists might be better titled ‘a bunch of so-so books by friends of the list-maker.'” Thank goodness such lists exist. http://kellydavio.com/2012/04/02/what-im-reading-in-praise-of-lists/#more-644

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

There’s a secret real writers know that

wannabe writers don’t, and

the secret is this:

It’s not the writing part that’s hard.

What’s hard is sitting down to write.

                                                                                            –Steven Pressfield, The War of Art