Julie Ann Stricklin – Things You Need to Know Before You Hire a Graphic Artist

Posted on October 24, 2010 by Victor Volkman
On October 20 Irene Watson and Brad Grochowski spoke with Julie Ann Stricklin about what every author must know before buying and/or commissioning artwork. Julie is an author, independent Illustrator, graphic designer, and fine artist working in the field since 1985. She constantly alternates her passion for design work, illustration and fine art. These passions have created a body of work that includes the illustration of six children’s books. We spoke with her about several key concepts of collaborating with an illustrator:

  • What do I need to know about a potential artist?
  • What is Work for hire?
  • What are traditional media versus computer-generated media?
  • What do I need to know about deadlines?
  • How do I negotiate payment and delivery?
  • What should I not ask the artist to do?
  • What do I need to know about royalty free images and clip art vs. a commissioned work?

Julie Ann Stricklin

Julie Ann Stricklin
Each book Julie Ann Stricklin has worked on has it’s own individual illustrative style.  Her books include: The Mysterious Missing Pixie Pond and Down Turtle Trail. Julie’s graphic pieces have been chosen as well as published in hard cover art books, that showcase American designers use of new and unique exploration in visual inventiveness. Julie’s client list for fine art is as eclectic as her styles, ranging from corporate banks, business accounts, publishers, pro athletes, and actors and well as local and international commissions.

The Mysterious Missing Pixie Pond

The Mysterious Missing Pixie Pond
Listen to the PodCast!
PupuPlayer PRO

Be the first to find out when the next episode is posted!
Join our email notification list. We respect your privacy.
First Name * Last Name *
Email *
Posted in Childrens Books | Leave a comment

Tom Wanek – Currencies that Buy Credibility for Your Book

Posted on October 9, 2010 by Victor Volkman
On October 7th, 2010 Irene Watson and Alan E. Smith spoke with marketing guru Tom Wanek about the six essential ingredients (or “currencies”) to successful marketing Tom Wanek. His book, Currencies That Buy Credibility, teaches the foundation that every smart marketer needs to know in order to craft a believable marketing message.  Tom shares his views on marketing and advertising on his blog, MarketingBeyondAdvertising.com.  In a wide-ranging discussion, we talked about

  • What is the book’s primary argument? Why is it important now?
  • Can money categorically buy credibility like buying ad space?
  • What was the inspiration behind Currencies That Buy Credibility?
  • How can fiction and non-fiction authors exploit these currencies?
  • Any surprising applications of your currencies?
  • What are the most commonly credibility investments in business today?
  • What are the key factors that will help marketers cut through the social media clutter and communicate with credibility

Tom Wanek

Tom Wanek
Tom Wanek is busy worldwide speaker and marketing consultant.  Businesses as far away as Australia fly Tom in to fix their marketing and hire him to speak. Tom spent eight years growing his successful retail-clothing store. Dealing with his fair share of growing pains, skinned knees and all. Just like you.. This episode was edited by Victor R. Volkman.

Currencies That Buy Credibility

Currencies That Buy Credibility
Listen to the PodCast!
PupuPlayer PRO

Be the first to find out when the next episode is posted!
Join our email notification list. We respect your privacy.
First Name * Last Name *
Email *
Posted in Branding, Marketing | Leave a comment

In the future, everyone will be on Amazon but it’s an expensive hoax

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Victor Volkman

Here’s the blog link about this scam from The Washington Post.

There is a “loophole” in the LSI system that allows volume publishers (who publish more than 10 books
a year) to become certified and have setup costs waived. So literally they do cost nothing to print other
than the annual maintenance fee (which I seem to remember is about $12/year). With luck the fees will
bankrupt “Books LLC” because most of their books have fortunately never sold one copy (at least on
Amazon).

I want the hour back that I wasted researching this mess.

Posted in Amazon.com | Leave a comment

Valerie Bradley-Holliday, PhD – Writing as a Working Mom

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Victor Volkman
On September 16th, 2010 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author, social worker, and busy mom Valerie Bradley-Holliday, PhD. Valerie’s doctorate degree is from The Union Institute and University, a distance-learning program based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her specialization is Social Psychology. She has a Master of Social Work Degree from Wayne State University. Valerie shared with us critical items to success as a writer and working mom:

  • Time management: keeping it all together
  • Respect for yourself and your craft as an artist
  • Professionalism and its importance in producing quality products
  • Dealing with frustrations and setbacks
  • Accepting success and being prepared to act on it
  • Self-publishing perils and benefits of using it.

Valerie Bradley-Holliday

Valerie Bradley-Holliday
Valerie has a husband, three sons and three adopted dogs. She has two published books (Places to Be Blessed and Northern Roots) and third book (Elmwood) is in progress. Her first love is writing. She writes like some people eat popcorn. Her varying interests include: art, singing, gardening, and reading. After being raised by her grandmother, Valerie put herself through undergraduate school by working as a kitchen helper and a certified nurse’s aide. She has taught several classes in her field at the graduate level, later served as an adjunct professor at Northern Michigan University and currently serves as an adjunct for online universities. As an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, she received credentialing for the Academy of Clinical Social Workers. Her professional experience includes working with domestic violence victims and facilitating related support groups. Valerie has also worked as a career counselor at Soumi College (now known as Finlandia University) in Hancock, Michigan. She counseled abused and neglected children and their families in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Valerie is currently working on a book about Elmwood, an African American Community that was located near Crystal Falls in the Paint River area.

Places To Be Blessed

Places To Be Blessed
Listen to the PodCast!
PupuPlayer PRO


Be the first to find out when the next episode is posted!
Join our email notification list. We respect your privacy.
First Name * Last Name *
Email *
Posted in Fiction, Self-Publishing, Writing | 1 Comment

Drew Gerber – Catapult Your Book with Media Coverage

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Victor Volkman
On September 2, 2010 Irene Watson and Alan E. Smith spoke with author and media coverage guru Drew Gerber of PitchRate.com. L. Drew Gerber is CEO of Wasabi Publicity, Inc.  and creator of www.PitchRate.com, a free media tool that connects journalists, publicists, and experts. Drew informed us on critical aspects of the interface between author and media including:

  • How to stand out from the crowd and brand what’s unique about your book.
  • How to make it easy for customers and journalists to find you and your book online.
  • Who wants your expertise? How to position yourself as an expert.
  • How to grab the media’s attention by creating the perfect pitch.
  • How to get to the point and use sound bites.
  • How to maximize your publicity by leveraging the coverage you’re getting to attract more traffic and leads to your website.

Drew Gerber

Drew Gerber
Gerber’s business practices and staffing innovations have been revered by PR Week, Good Morning America and the Christian Science Monitor. His companies handle international PR campaigns and his staff develops online press kits for authors, speakers and companies with Online PressKit 24/7, a technology he developed.

www.PitchRate.com

www.PitchRate.com
Listen to the PodCast!
PupuPlayer PRO

Be the first to find out when the next episode is posted!
Join our email notification list. We respect your privacy.
First Name * Last Name *
Email *
Posted in Alan E. Smith, Press Releases | Leave a comment