Susan Violante – Writing Your Book with Oral History Techniques

 On October 5th, 2011 Victor R. Volkman and Donna Winters spoke with writer, broadcaster, and historical fiction writer Susan Violante about incorporating research from oral history into fiction and non-fiction contexts.  In 2010, she published her Young Adult novel Innocent War: Behind and Immigrant’s Past — Book One. She currently works as the Editorial Assistant for Reader Views and First Chapter Plus. During the course of her writing she used tapes her father recorded as well as one-on-one interviews to flesh out the events, characters, and emotions that she hoped to capture in her book.  In this wide-ranging discussion, we covered those issues and much more:

  • Researching for your book
  • Benefits of Interviewing as a research tool when writing any story
  • Different Interviewing tools and techniques.
  • Quick tips to interview like a professional.
  • How to use your story’s research to Market your book.
  • Creating Podcasts using recorded interviews done during story research.
  • Using your contacts generated through story research to promote your book.

Susan Violante

Susan Violante

Born and raised in Venezuela from Italian immigrants, author Susan Violante completed a BA degree in Political and Administrative Cs. and worked as Founding General Director of a Environmental Foundation before moving to the US. Although she built a career as a Business Analyst/Accountant since 1987, she also kept herself active as a Freelance writer. In 2010 Violante finally retired from Accounting and leaped to the publishing industry. She is also finishing her first picture book titled Tuma: The Little Indian Princess while working on Book 2 of her Series. Susan is also the host of I Have Something to Say LIVE, and soon to be Managing Editor of her newest project: I Have Something To Say Press. Her new radio show: Italian Austinite will go on the air through Blogtalk radio at the end of October.

Innocent War

Innocent War

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Posted in Historical Fiction, Memoir, Podcasting | Leave a comment

Barbara Techel – Selling Books Through School and Library Author Appearances

On September 15th, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with children’s author, publisher, and marketing guru Barbara Techel. She is the award-winning author of the Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series. She has shared her story of hope and inspiration about her dachshund, Frankie, who is in a wheelchair, with thousands of children and adults since 2007. To date they have made over 300 appearances in Wisconsin and many more via Skype to classrooms across the US and Canada. Barbara is also a speaker and publisher. She appeared on our show to help all authors who may be having trouble getting started in speaking at schools and libraries some ideas and inspiration.  A few topics we covered include:

  • What to include in your presentation.
  • Types of presentations
  • Ideas for what fiction authors can speak about
  • Pitfalls to avoid in pitching classroom appearances
  • Appropriate length for various ages
  • Managing the sales appropriately
  • Where to speak: In-person and via Skype
  • What to charge for classroom appearances
  • Marketing your message and appearances to schools

Barbara Techel (and Frankie)

Barbara Techel (and Frankie)

Barbara and Frankie are avid volunteers as a therapy dog team. They routinely visit a local hospice community, hospital and senior assisted living facility, where they “walk their talk” about the inspirational nature of perseverance in the face of challenge.Since before her first book was published, Barbara has worked tirelessly to promote her books and the positive message they embody. She has garnered coverage for her story from local, regional and national media through these efforts, and continues to develop and refine her marketing message and approach. Class Act: Sell More Books Through School and Library Author Appearances is her first book about what she’s learned, but not likely her last.

Class Act: Sell More Books Through School and Library Author Appearances

Class Act: Sell More Books Through School and Library Author Appearances

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Posted in Childrens Books, Libraries, Non-Traditional Sales, Schools, Speaking | 1 Comment

Irene Watson – Creating Your Marketing Platform

On September 1, 2011 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author and marketing guru Irene Watsonon how authors can generate their marketing platform with a minimum of effort. Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books. She spoke with us and addressed the following points:

  • What is an author platform?
  • Why does an author need a platform?
  • What’s the first thing to do to create a platform? (Define Audience)
  • What is the next step after I define my audience?
  • Basics of the platform (Brand, Reputation, Connections)
  • What is the foundation of a platform?
  • 7 steps in creating an author platform.

Irene Watson

Irene Watson

Among the many destinations Irene Watson runs includes ReaderViews, First Chapter Plus, Inside Scoop Live, and Review The book Dot Com. Her team produces press releases, media interviews, and book videos just to name a few.
Irene is also author of The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference , co-author of Rewriting Life Scripts: Transformational Recovery for Families of Addicts, and co-author of Authors Access: 36 Secrets for Authors and Publishers.

The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference

The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference

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Posted in Branding, Irene Watson, Platform | Leave a comment

Paul McNeese – Differentiating Your Book From Run-of-the-Mill Genres

 On August 19th, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with publishing and marketing guru Paul McNeese. Paul spent 27 years writing for radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and in corporate America before retiring to create his own organization. Paul’s new company, OPA Author Services, helps both first-time authors and seasoned professionals to self-publish their materials—in other words, to become their own publishers. In this session of Authors Access, Paul McNeese is with us to offer some thoughts – and perhaps a little advice – on a vital aspect of “branding” for writers and authors

Paul McNeese

Paul McNeese

In 2008 Paul McNeese re-focused his work and began guiding authors only through the development and production of books and E-books — and then turning his clients over to a consortium of trusted experts he gathered over the years specifically to handle marketing, promotion, publicity and distribution. Even though he limits his personal work to operations that end with the printing or electronic publication of a book, Paul knows that the marketing plan is a vital component of the consultant/client relationship and essential to the success of both books and authors, so he keeps up with all of the new approaches to book marketing and starts every new project by building a plan with each client that will make the transformation from concept to cash register a seamless one.

OPA Author Services

OPA Author Services

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Posted in Branding, Marketing, Self-Publishing | Leave a comment

Joel Friedlander – Going Past Traditional Publishing & Self-Publishing Instead

 On August 3rd, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with book designer, blogger and publisher Joel Friedlander, proprietor of Marin Bookworks in San Rafael, California. Joel is the author of A Self-Publisher’s Companion: Expert Advice for Authors Who Want to Publish and came to share his wisdom from decades of involvement at every level of book production.He has owned businesses in graphic arts, design and book publishing. He was Production Director of Aperture Books, where he produced award-winning photography books. He founded Renaissance Press in northern California, a private publisher of hand-typeset and hand printed books. As the owner of Globe Press Books in Yorktown Heights, New York, he published books of memoirs and east-west spirituality.

Joel Friedlander

Joel Friedlander

 A self-published author himself, he now helps authors who decide to publish navigate the often confusing world of self-publishing. He is known for his carefully produced books, beautiful typography, and an ethical and personal approach to his work and his clients. His blog has become a popular gathering spot for authors, publishers and designers. You can find out more and read over 500 articles on book design, publishing, ebooks, book marketing and the life of the indie author by visiting his blog at www.theBookDesigner.com

A Self-Publisher’s Companion: Expert Advice for Authors Who Want to Publish

A Self-Publisher’s Companion: Expert Advice for Authors Who Want to Publish

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Posted in Print On Demand (POD), Self-Publishing | Leave a comment