Category Archives: Self-Publishing - Page 5

Tyler Tichelaar – What Can an Author/Publishers Association do for You?

Posted by Victor Volkman on September 24, 2008 No comments

On Thursday, September 18th, 2008 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with Tyler Tichelaar, author, entrepreneur, and current president of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Assocation. Tyler R. Tichelaar holds a Ph.D. in Literature from Western Michigan University, and Bachelor and Master’s Degrees from Northern Michigan University. He has lectured on writing and literature at Clemson University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of London as well as at several conferences across the country. Tyler spoke to us about key aspects of author/publisher associations including: how does an association get started, what are the differences between regional and national associations, what do people get out of being a member, how can a regional association leverage media and publicity opportunities, how to get involved, and how to host special events/conferences.

Tyler is a regular guest host of Authors Access Internet Radio and Associate Editor at Reader Views. He is the author of the regionally bestselling Marquette Trilogy, a family saga covering seven generations between 1849-1999 and centering on the pioneers who settled Upper Michigan. The trilogy consists of the novels: “Iron Pioneers,” “The Queen City,” and “Superior Heritage.” He also recently published his fourth novel, “Narrow Lives.”

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Alice B. Acheson – Publicity for Pennies

Posted by Victor Volkman on September 5, 2008 1 comment

On September 4th, 2008 Tyler Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with publicist and industry veteran Alice B. Acheson about marketing on the cheap. Alice has been an independent marketing and publishing specialist working with large and small publishers since 1981.
Alice answered some tough questions including, Is there really any publicity that costs pennies? How do I get started with publicity plans? What are some publicity ideas that truly cost nothing? How can I find organizations interested in hearing me speak? What about awards, postcards, bookmarks, tradeshows, and mailings?

Alice has worked as both editor and publicist, negotiating book contracts, and selling subsidiary rights. Four recipients of her publicity prowess have appeared simultaneously on the The New York Times bestseller list.She is particularly proud of her efforts for OLD TURTLE by Doug Wood, the author’s first book from a publisher who had never published a children’s book and never nationally marketed any of their books. It won the American Booksellers Association Book of the Year and sold 800,000 copies prior to its sale to Scholastic. For her efforts Alice was given the Literary Market Place Outside Services Award for Advertising, Promotion, and Publicity.

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Jo Virgil – Getting Your Book into a National Book Store

Posted by Victor Volkman on August 7, 2008 1 comment

On Tuesday, August 5th 2008 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with Jo Virgil, Community Relations Manager (CRM) at the Sunset Valley Barnes & Noble store in Austin, TX. Jo shared the secrets of what it takes to get a book placed in a bookstore outlet, who to contact to get it in there, what kind of marketing is effective, and how to keep your book on the shelf. Along the way, she busts several cherished myths about the relationship between bookstores and authors. This is one podcast that EVERY author should listen to.

Jo Virgil has served as a Community Relations Manager for Barnes & Noble for many years. She currently works at the Sunset Valley store in South Austin. A major component of her job is working with authors to produce successful events and book signings. She has worked as a feature writer, reporter, and columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and loves to dabble in any kind of writing, fiction and non-fiction. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Environmental Science, reflecting her love of writing as well as her deep appreciation of and respect for nature. She is Vice President of the Board of the Writers’ League of Texas and also serves on the Board of the Central Texas Storytelling Guild

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Jim and Linda Salisbury – Smart Self-Publishing Ideas

Posted by Victor Volkman on July 19, 2008 No comments

On Thursday, July 17th 2008 Victor R. Volkman and Tyler Tichelaar spoke with Jim and Linda Salisbury of Tabby House press about smart self-publishing ideas: tips and techniques for becoming successful without spending a ton of money. We covered essential knowledge for self-publishers and a lot of specifics about Children’s Books, a particular area of expertise for Tabby House. Specifically, how to make your book conform to industry standards (and hence be sell-able), how to understand your market, effective no-cost and low-cost marketing and promotion techniques, and making money outside of the bookstore arena.

Jim and Linda are authors of “Smart Self-Publishing: An author’s guide to producing a marketable book” now in its third edition. The book has been mentioned in both Newsweek and BottomLine Personal. Listen up to this podcast and find out how to get a FREE copy of this $16.95 book for just the nominal charge of $6.00.Jim is the publisher at Tabby House now based in Central Virginia, and was president of the Florida Publishers Association for many years. He and Linda offer self-publishing seminars in libraries, bookstores and for writers’ groups. They are members of FPA, Publishers Association of the South, and Independent Book Publishers Association (formerly Publishers Marketing Association).Linda is the author of the juvenile fiction Bailey Fish Adventure series, which has won four national honors. The sixth book in the series will be out this fall, and she has another environmentally orien
ted children’s book to be released soon. She is a former journalist and a free-lance writer.