The Art and Business of Writing

Award Winning Book: 101 Author Tips

2009-10-25T14:52:00.002-04:00

101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign received the distinguished honor of "Award-Winning Finalist" in the Business: Writing/Publishing category of the National Best Book Awards 2009!

Becoming A Known Author-It's A Fulltime Job

2009-07-11T19:28:00.000-04:00

My book, 101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign, launched about a month ago and I've spent almost every free moment I have promoting and publicizing it. Where am I and what do I have to report?

First, the local press has been receptive and it's building, slowly. I haven't begun to get national publicity, yet.
Second, promotion through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is coming along, but still much more to achieve. It takes time to build relationships and trust.
Third, pitching myself as a speaker is proving fruitful and I feel this part of the book campaign will continue to gain momentum.
Fourth, book sales, getting book stores and libraries to consider carrying my book is labor-intensive, but again, it's happening.
Overall, things are good and it's all just going to take a lot more time than I could imagine. Part of the reason, my full-time job is so demanding that by the time I come home I'm beat and I'm lucky to muster enough mind power for an hour or two on the computer and then call it a day. I spend about 20 hours on the weekend doing as much as I can to spread the word.
So, my plan, continue to build my platform, post comments on social media outlets, pitch speaking gigs, build my relationships and so much more.
I have such great respect for anyone who goes through this process and doesn't quit. I think about my life pre-book release; it was simpler, quieter, but heck I've had that life for more years than I care to remember. It's time to be strong and go for it!

Managing Expectations

2009-06-21T17:39:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I've been focusing most of my free time since mid-May 2009, on promoting and publicizing the release of my new book, 101 AUTHOR TIPS: Creating A Successful Book Campaign and I still feel I have not begun to scratch the surface. I mean when I consider that in today's market place, the world is my customer, how can I possibly cover all my bases?

I remind myself to breath, focus on my "to do" list, remain flexible in shifting my priorities and offer kisses to the universe for all that I have achieved. As a publishing expert, I know what needs to be done in order to maximize my publication window and while I'm ahead of most authors with my experience, I'm only one person to do it all.

Sounds like I need to hire someone to help with some of the PR campaign. A dear friend offered to help and when I started to put together a list of contacts for her I realized that because I know so many people, personally, it probably made more sense for me to reach out to them myself. And yet, I know that if someone else contacts the press or speaking venues, it will look better for me and I will be able to cover more ground. I will turn some of the press contacts over to my friend, if she's willing-need to confirm with her.

I take a deep breath and return to my spreadsheet of contacts and do as much in a day as possible. I remind myself that having too much to do is a really good thing and what needs to get done will.

http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com
http://www.theartandbusinessofwriting.com

Book Launch Success!

2009-06-14T16:52:00.000-04:00

How sweet it is to have my book launch event for 101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign, behind me and a great success! Thank you to everyone who attended and those who sent "well wishes." The event at the Book Revue http://www.bookrevue.com was beyond my expectations and I have all of you to thank.

The Long-Islander Newspaper (http://www.longislandernews.com/papers/longislander/front/index.html) covered the 6.9.09 event with an interview on 6.8 and sent a photographer to shoot the actual event. Lifetips (http://www.lifetips.com/about/radio-show.html ) hosted a webmaster radio interview on 6.3.09. Both of these media outlets will help garner additional press.

Now, I'm organizing the next move on my success book campaign by creating spreadsheets that will enable me to be proactive in my pitches to the media, book selling outlets, conferences, writers' groups and more. It's a big job and I'm ready.

Birth Of A Book

2009-05-18T22:48:00.001-04:00

I just happened to be thinking about birth today because it's the eve of my son's 26th birthday and how apropos that the following took place.

I've heard authors speak about giving birth to their book, but could never relate until it happened to me. The months of planning and developing, the pain of the final editing process, the joy of getting the word from my publisher that it's been sent to the printer and reserving the venue to launch my book.

This morning, I received word that my book, 101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign, can be found on Amazon.com. So, I went to Amazon's site and there it was in bold letters, my name-WOW! I felt as though someone had just told me I was going to deliver a baby any day now. And then, later in the afternoon the most amazing thing occurred-my first batch of books, the ones hot off the press, arrived at my door. I tore the clear plastic tape off the top of the box and popped opened the top and hidden under the white packing paper lay the first copy. I tell ya, I was in shock! I carefully pulled the copy out, raised it to the light, twirled around in a circle and then ran out the front door to show my boyfriend. I presented the front and then the back, his eyes widened. Then without hesitation he grabbed it from me and flipped the pages, front to back-"It's beautiful!" Yes, indeed, it's just the sweetest little thing you ever did see.

I quickly called my sisters, friends and texted my son with the birth announcement. They all responded with, " Congratulations, I'm so proud of you, can't wait to see it..."

Yes, it's amazingly close to giving birth, the only thing is, I have to sell this baby and sell it I will.

Visit http://www.lifetips.com/, http://www.bn.com/, http://www.bookrevue.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/ and order the book (ISBN: 9781602750463) that will help make your dreams come true of becoming a bestselling author, today!

Walking My Talk

2009-05-10T20:48:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm happy to report that my fingers have been flying across the keyboard; writing in my journal. It's so fulfilling and it makes me fill complete that once I start I don't want to stop. Do you know that feeling?

The completion of my manuscript, the final edits and now the approval from the printer-it's all good! My book, 101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign is finally ready and can be ordered. Contact your local bookstore to purchase it. Amazon will have it available in June. The ISBN: 9781602750463, Retail: $9.99.

I've been scanning the world-wide web for writers groups to let them know about the book and my first event is June 9th at 7:00pm at Book Revue in Huntington, NY.

I'm so excited I can hardly sit still long enough to send out notices, blog, Tweet and update Facebook, but I must and I will.

Following My Own Guidance

2009-04-19T10:35:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm celebrating today and of course, everyday, but today in particular because my editor for my book, 101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign, has finally approved the interior pages. I submitted my completed manuscript on the evening of Sunday, March 22, 2009, and on Thursday, April 16, 2009, the very, last chapter was approved.

I was surprised that it took this length of time for the book to be edited and it wasn't necessarily because the manuscript, itself, needed so much work. I was not directed on three points. First, do not include any personal comments, remove all "I, me, mine, my" associations. Second, just because it's a tip book doesn't mean that the text should include an unlimited number of "lists" per se. Third, I wasn’t aware that my editor, wasn't my editor and that my work was being turned over to a new editor. (I had been communicating with a particular editor for a year and assumed she would be my book editor, but that wasn't so.) The newly assigned editor had a different take on my book and we had to become acquainted with each other and the book's premise.

So, just as my book guides an author through some possible scenarios of what can happen with the publisher and understanding the publishing process, I was subjected to the very things I had written about for "other" authors, never thinking that I would be experiencing some of those very same situations.

What I learned was to follow my own guidance in remaining calm, polite and cooperative. In the long run, this newly appointed editor proved to be a breath-of-fresh-air. Her suggestions and insight have made my first book a winner!

If' you'd like a sneak peak at some of the content, I invite you to visit my blog, http://publishing.lifetips.com./ .

101 Author Tips will release towards the end of May 2009. Watch for a listing of my upcoming appearances in your area.

Every Day Is A Good To Write

2009-04-12T19:32:00.000-04:00

I need to remember that every day is a good day to write, even if it's a quick journal entry or a post on my blog. I tend to think that if I don't have a lot to say then it's probably not worth taking the time to sit myself down and let my fingers do the hopping on the keyboard.

Being mindful that NOT writing, will keep me exactly in the same place as I have been for too many years and will ensure that I will still be waiting for the writing to happen.

So, today and everyday, I write short or long, doesn't matter; what matters is the action, creating the space and transcribing the thoughts as a reminder that I'm still here doing what I set out to do.

Many writers want to write a book and there are many that complete the task, but there are many more who never get to the finish line. It's been said that writing a few pages a day can produce a completed book at the end of a year.

I invite you to join me in writing a book, an article, an essay, a journal entry, or whatever will help you to get the creative juices flowing. As for me, I'm working on two projects, a memoir and a short story. Will let you know how things are going, if you'll do the same.

Write On, Write Now!

101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign

2009-03-29T16:31:00.000-04:00

The book is finally finished and currently being edited. Yes, that's right I finished my book, 101 Author Tips: Creating A Successful Book Campaign. Yeah! I have a new found respect for authors having gone through this process. It was and is so exciting! I'm ready to start another.

But, for the next few months and moving forward, the majority of my free time must go to publicizing and promoting the book. That's the one thing that many authors don't realize. Just when you think you're finished with the book and you can take a breather, you have to put on your publicity and marketing hats. Without publicity and marketing your book will remain unknown.

So, today I'm formulating my plans and getting ready to launch them in the next two weeks in preparation for the release in May 2009.

I have already lined up a book launch event at Book Revue in Huntington, NY on June 9, 2009 at 7:00pm. So, it's begun, but there's a lot more work to do.

I'll keep you posted as I progress through the campaign.

Cheers!

The Best Writer Can Use Help

2009-02-20T19:51:00.000-05:00

The best writers still can use some help navigating the publishing process. Like any industry it has protocols, procedures and people. It's the people part that seems to trick up even the most experienced writers. Getting to know all the people in the various roles they play in the publishing of your book is crucial to maximizing the publisher's resources.

As a first-time author, it's important to remain calm, friendly and supportive in all of your dealings with the publisher. You, both, have entered into an agreement not unlike marriage, where you need specific things from each other in a timely manner. The more cooperative and supportive you are, the more support you will recieve from the publisher. Be willing to jump through hoops if necessary to deliver what the publisher asks of you.

The departments you will work with are: Editorial, Marketing, Publicity, Events, and Creative Services. These departments deliver the finish product, your book, to the Sales Department. It's all of their jobs to do their best to bring together all the pieces in order to create the most saleable book possible.

If you ever thought that writing a book was the end of your responsibility as an author, think again. It's only the beginning. The publisher will depend on you to do your own marketing, speaking, media and more to ensure the sale of your book is a success.

However, working collaboratively with your publisher will maximize both sides of the publishing process to drive sales. Everyone will win, if you work as a team.

If you want to be ahead of the game and be a writer in-the-know of the publishing process, checkout The Art and Business of Writing Conference: http://www.theartandbusinessofwriting.com I guarantee you'll be glad you did. Sign up today!

The Art and Business of Writing Conference 2009

2009-02-19T20:52:00.000-05:00

Dear Writer:

Join us for the inaugural gathering of The Art and Business of Writing© Conference!

Author and publishing insider, PJ Campbell is hosting a weekend of information and inspiration for writers at the famous Gurney’s Inn Resort and Spa, Montauk, NY (http://www.gurneys-inn.com/main.htm ). Whether you are curious if you have what it takes to be a writer, are fine-tuning your first, second or third novel, or wondering about the publishing process, there is something for you at The Art and Business of Writing Conference©. Mingle with published authors, agents and editors, pitch your work and leave with a good sense of a writer in the know.

It will be an all-inclusive weekend with an ocean view. There will be time to learn and relax. When you are not attending a panel discussion, working on your query letter, enjoying a spa treatment, or taking a walk along the sandy beach, you will be immersed in the writing life.

About PJ Campbell:
PJ Campbell is the Director of Events for a major East coast publishing house where she is involved in all facets of the publishing process, bringing finished books to the marketplace. In her role as the Director of Events, she oversees and creates 1600+ author and executive appearances, globally. PJ is credited with the creation of the 10,000 print run publication of BOOK SELLING FOR DUMMIES published by Wiley, endorsed and distributed by the American Booksellers Association.

Her articles have been published in local, national and international publications including Garden City Life Newspaper, Young Rider Magazine, and Common Ground Magazine. As a marketing savvy writer, she has landed web-site content assignments with artists, business owners, doctors and more.

PJ is the “Publishing Guru” for LifeTips.com (http://lifetips.com/). Her new book,
101 AUTHOR TIPS, published by LifeTips.com will release April 2009.

PJ is a member of:
National Association of Women Writers
International WomenWriters Guild
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Western Writers of America

For more information and to reserve your place at The Art and Business of Writing Conference, visit http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/ , http://theartandbusinessofwriting.com/ or respond to this e-mail.

Joining PJ in the presentation of the Art of Writing will be Nancy Slonim Aronie.

About Nancy Slonim Aronie:
Nancy Slonim Aronie has been a commentator for National Public Radio's All Things Considered. She was a Visiting Writer at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, wrote a monthly column in McCall's magazine and was the recipient of the Eye of The Beholder Artist in Residence award at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. She gives writing workshops and lectures at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Omega Institute, Rowe Conference Center, Wain-Wright House and The Open Center in New York City. She teaches at Harvard University."I don't think anyone can really teach writing,” says Nancy Slonim Aronie, director of the Chilmark Writing Workshop on Martha's Vineyard. "What I know I can do is create a safe place for writers to write.”And if you feel safe, you can do anything. You can take the risk of saying this is who I am, this is what terrifies me, this is what moves me, this is what makes me laugh. When you take that risk, you dig deep. You will access your innocence, your truth and your vulnerability and then you cannot miss.For more information about Nancy, visit http://www.nancyaronie.com/

Publishing industry professional, PJ Campbell has the insight to guide you on your quest to be the writer of your dreams. Nancy Slonim Aronie, author of Writing From The Heart and seasoned workshop/conference writing lecturer, will help you find the key to your heart and voice through her effervescent and relaxed style of finding the writer within.

Now, look at the program they have been living to produce especially for you.

The Art and Business of Writing© Workshop Program

Dates: November 13-November 15, 2009
Times: Beginning with dinner on Friday at 6:00pm
Ending after lunch on Sunday at 1:30pm

Fees:
Single Occupancy: $1049.00pp
Double Occupancy: $799.00pp

All reservations include:
The Art & Business of Writing© Workshop and materials
Program details to come, soon.
Two nights’ hotel accommodations
All meals (drinks not included)

Indoor heated seawater pool, Finnish rock saunas, Russian steam rooms, Swiss showers, gymnasium with Nautilus and Universal exercise equipment and private changing room lockers.
Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the property
Complimentary transportation for conference attendees is offered to and from local airports, railroad stations, jitney stops, golf courses, tennis facilities, fishing docks and other nearby recreational areas.
Form of Payment: Check, Money Order or PayPal

In order to hold your reservation a non-refundable deposit of $350 is requested by March 14, 2009.
Payment in full is required by April 13, 2009.

For more information and to reserve your place at The Art and Business of Writing Conference, visit http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/ or http://theartandbusinessofwriting.com/ or contact me directly at theartandbusinessofwriting@yahoo.com

Register today!