eBook Reading and Writing

We have a huge amount of respect for JM Snyder. JM works hard at the craft of erotic romance writing as well as the business of writing. She is unpretentious and willing to help.  

In this article JM Snyder Shares Writing Business Lessons . She’s talking from experience here:

How did JM learn promotion?

I began devouring any and all information I could find on self-promotion. iUniverse had a wealth of articles available to new authors, covering everything from book signings to sell sheets to press releases. I read them all, took them to heart, and began a direct mail marketing campaign that targeted gay/lesbian bookstores around the country. With my subsequent releases, that campaign seemed to work — I received small royalty checks on a quarterly basis…

What did JM do that allowed her sales to “skyrocket”?

Then the editor at Aspen Mountain Press, an up and coming e-publisher, contacted me about re-publishing my novels as e-books. I was skeptical — the books were currently available in electronic format, but I had seen nothing in my sales figures to suggest co-venturing with a publisher. For one, I currently made 80% off all sales, and the standard e-book publisher’s royalty rate of 35-40% paled in comparison. But the marketing person in me decided to take a chance, and sent the publisher a book I planned to self-publish. I negotiated to keep the print rights, and the book was released in both paperback and e-book formats simultaneously.

Suddenly, my sales skyrocketed…

What does JM Snyder do to drive traffic to her web site?

I track my website visitors carefully, and exploit ad campaigns targeting certain audiences who may be interested in my books. I’ve joined the ManLove Romance co-operative, a group of like-minded writers who pool their resources to afford advertising in print magazines with a large readership. Because I started in fan fiction, I run a banner ad on a popular adult fan fiction site, drawing over 100 hits a week. Not bad for $15 a month.

Everyone can learn something from this article and we thank JM Snyder for taking the time to write it.

Catch JM  Snyder’s Trin, Scarred and Just What the Doctor Ordered at Aspen Mountain Press. Check out JM Snyder’s web site for more stuff.  

This is an update to the post from a couple weeks ago. It’s not getting any better for aspiring romance writers trying to find a publishing house they can trust.

Check out Piers Anthony’s excellent approach to keeping writers informed at http://hipiers.com/publishing.html#T1 .

Piers seems to have some trouble with his April updates as they are dated 2004 rather than 2007. But in general his information is good. The publisher alluded to in the warning below is listed.

Writer Beware! 

This is just a quick warning to all you romance writers out there: Be careful when signing with a publishing house.

There are liars out there that will promise to put your beloved story in print and then come up with flimsy excuses, secret pre-order requirements and outrageous sales guarantees that will dash your hopes, usually after you have spent your hard earned promo money.

Here’s some advice for writers: 

1. Talk to SEVERAL authors at a house before you sign a contract. Ask the tough questions (Are you paid on time? Do they keep their promises? Do they abide by their contracts?). Listen carefully to the answers. If the authors aren’t EXCITED to talk with you, run away FAST.

2. Read the contract carefully, VERY carefully. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of examining that document like a lawyer. You have worked hard on your work, protect it. Hire a lawyer if you can afford it.

3. Get it in WRITING. Stories of false promises and folks without contracts are legion. If they won’t put it in writing, don’t agree to the deal.

4. If you get stung, use the Romance Writers of America to report the abuse. Many of you are members of the RWA. Document how you were wronged and send it to them. It’s an effective way to let fellow writers know so they will not fall into the same situation.

You may have gathered this warning is aimed at a particular publishing house where the excrement has just encountered the ventilation device. Ask around, there are some VERY angry romance writers out there right now. Don’t sign with that house. The same thing will happen to you.

There are many excellent houses out there. With a little research, you will find one to help you reach your writing dreams.