eBook Reading and Writing

Vickie Hinze has a list of ten ideas about promotion for writers in her bloglines blog.

Here are a couple ideas that I found interesting, especially for romance writers and eBook writers.

1.  Set a budget and stick to it.  Most authors consider 10% of their advance or 10% of their anticipated income a reasonable sum.

4.  Do promote the author.  You are spending your money to promote–and you should be spending it to promote you.  Authors sell books based on name recognition–regardless of the types of books they write.  Many authors write in several genres and most authors “reinvent” themselves three to four times in the span of a career.  Often they do so by switching genres.  Some readers follow, others don’t.  But the more familiar they are with your name, the greater the odds they will find you and have the opportunity to decide presented to them.

8.  Realistic expectations.  Have them.  Some say to expect a one in three positive response.  Personally, I consider that ratio unrealistically optimistic.  While one must see something three times to remember it is a commonly held notion, it isn’t followed by then they’ll buy your book.  They might, but they might not.    It’s impossible to totally measure the potential of marketing.  One never knows what will trigger–or has been triggered–in whomever is exposed to it.  What is certain is that if you don’t promote, then you’ve generated zero opportunities and created no new gains that you might have achieved with it.  You’ve generated no potential.

 

Be sure to check out Vickie Hinze’s blog for the rest of the list of ten ideas about promotion.

Not just for romance writers but romance and erotica are always hot categories in this contest. The EPPIE are open for entries…

Eligibility- ANY e-book of 10,000 words or more (or less for poetry or Children’s) published between Oct 1, 2005 and Sept 30, 2006 and REALEASED FOR SALE. It doesn’t matter if there was also a print release. It doesn’t matter if the e-book is self-published, subsidy/vanity published, with indie press or in NY. It doesn’t matter if you are an EPIC member or not. It doesn’t matter where in the world you live, as long as the book was released in English. Re-releases in the contest period ARE allowed, as long as the book was not entered in the EPPIE in a previous year. ALL are welcome. Questions can be directed to the contest coordinator, Carol MacLeod, at xoddity@cox.net

Categories and rules- See http://epicauthors.com/eppiefaq.html and
http://epicauthors.com/eppierules2007.html Please, pay special attention to the category descriptions and the file naming requirements. These have changed this year.

Cost to enter- $20 for EPIC members and $30 for non-members. Payment is accepted in US Dollars by PayPal, check or money order. Details on the entry page.

Deadline for entry- Midnight EST 7 Oct, 2006. Finalists announced Dec
2006. Winners announced 11 March, 2007 at EPICon in VA Beach.

NEW VOICES is open for entries…

Eligibility- Open to middle school and high school students worldwide. The student may be home schooled, in public school or in private school.
Categories and rules- See http://epicauthors.com/newvoices.html Entry forms are available from Lillie Ammann (coordinator) at newvoices@epicauthors.com and will post soon on the web site. Teacher packets for the contest are available from Brenna Lyons at president@ epicauthors.com Children may submit one entry for each of their age-level categories: poetry, essay and fiction. Please, check the length limits on entries and remember that a parent/guardian signature IS required for entry.

Cost to enter- No entry fee! Prizes are awarded.

Deadline for entry- Midnight EST 1 Nov, 2006. Finalists announced Dec 2006. Winners announced 11 March 2007 at EPICon in VA Beach.