Novelist Elizabeth Spann Craig has put together a search engine just for writers. Called the Writer's Knowledge Base, it lives up to it's name.
The WKB is simple to use. You key in a word or short phrase and it searches through it's collection of blog posts. It then presents you with a list of pertinent materials. For example, I keyed in "publish" and it presented me with over 1,500 matches.
Use it once and I think you'll want to bookmark the Writer's Knowledge Base for future searches.
Let Panzer know what you think of the WKB.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Three Resources for Marketing Your Ebook
Last Wednesday I posted a list of my favorite crime and research blogs. Today I'm posting three of my favorite ebook marketing resource blogs.
1) Book Pumper , features Promotional Tactics for the Indie Revolution.
2) The Savvy Book Marketer, by the Book Marketing Maven.
3) Book Marketing Strategies and Tips for Authors. (You will need to subscribe here to take advantage of the videos, but it's free to subscribe.)
Enjoy!
1) Book Pumper , features Promotional Tactics for the Indie Revolution.
2) The Savvy Book Marketer, by the Book Marketing Maven.
3) Book Marketing Strategies and Tips for Authors. (You will need to subscribe here to take advantage of the videos, but it's free to subscribe.)
Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Book Review: The Poop Thief
It's time for another book review for your reading pleasure.
Portia Meadows runs a pet store called "Enchantment Park." This isn't your average pet store. These are very special pets for very special people. Who would have thought poop would be that special?
Kristine Kathryn Rusch has a great little story called The Poop Thief up at her blog. Kristine is selling this ebook at Amazon (and all the usual e-stores) for 99 cents, but you get to read it for free. At Kristine's blog, scroll down to Free Fiction Monday and read all about poop.
Oh, and Panzer gives it a ten out of ten.
Portia Meadows runs a pet store called "Enchantment Park." This isn't your average pet store. These are very special pets for very special people. Who would have thought poop would be that special?
Kristine Kathryn Rusch has a great little story called The Poop Thief up at her blog. Kristine is selling this ebook at Amazon (and all the usual e-stores) for 99 cents, but you get to read it for free. At Kristine's blog, scroll down to Free Fiction Monday and read all about poop.
Oh, and Panzer gives it a ten out of ten.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Prepare Before You Die
Panzer and I were talking today about the passing of his friend Raistlin (Eben). The last few weeks have not been good for the literary scene.
We've lost Lilian Jackson Braun, of cat mystery fame; Robert Kroetsch, the Canadian author; Newton Thornburg, author of Cutter and Bone; and Martin H. Greenberg, anthology editor at Tekno Books.
Like everyone else, I think we tend to avoid thinking about death. Perhaps that's one of the reasons we began writing: to make ourselves immortal through the written word. But as writers we have an obligations to our readers and cyber-friends to prepare for our death.
Here are five things you should do immediately:
1) Make a list of all of your passwords. If you're like me, your computer is passworded and your writing files are passworded. Then there's your blog, Twitter, Facebook,etc.
2) Now your spouse or designated friend can post your death to your blog, etc., as Raistlin's friend did. That way you won't just disappear from cyberspace. This same spouse or friend can leave your blog up for several days to allow your readers to post their comments. Then leave instructions if you want your blog removed.
2) Add to your password list, your passwords for your Amazon account, Smashwords account, Goodreads account, etc. so your spouse or designated friend can close these accounts, too.
3) Leave instructions for how to access your submissions program/spreadsheet/agent's contact information so your manuscripts can be withdrawn from consideration until your estate is settled.
4) You should have a list of all your sold manuscripts, the rights sold, and the copyright dates. You will need this information for the executor of your literary estate (whether this is your agent, your attorney, spouse or designated friend).
5) And finally, don't forget to leave instruction about what to do with your journals, diaries and personal papers. Do you want them given to your university, completed or just destroyed?
This list is by no means complete. Depending on your genre, you may need to add or delete things from your own list. But, do make a list and follow up by doing the things on the list to make it easier for your spouse or friend to notify your readers and friends, and to make sure your last wishes are known and followed.
We've lost Lilian Jackson Braun, of cat mystery fame; Robert Kroetsch, the Canadian author; Newton Thornburg, author of Cutter and Bone; and Martin H. Greenberg, anthology editor at Tekno Books.
Like everyone else, I think we tend to avoid thinking about death. Perhaps that's one of the reasons we began writing: to make ourselves immortal through the written word. But as writers we have an obligations to our readers and cyber-friends to prepare for our death.
Here are five things you should do immediately:
1) Make a list of all of your passwords. If you're like me, your computer is passworded and your writing files are passworded. Then there's your blog, Twitter, Facebook,etc.
2) Now your spouse or designated friend can post your death to your blog, etc., as Raistlin's friend did. That way you won't just disappear from cyberspace. This same spouse or friend can leave your blog up for several days to allow your readers to post their comments. Then leave instructions if you want your blog removed.
2) Add to your password list, your passwords for your Amazon account, Smashwords account, Goodreads account, etc. so your spouse or designated friend can close these accounts, too.
3) Leave instructions for how to access your submissions program/spreadsheet/agent's contact information so your manuscripts can be withdrawn from consideration until your estate is settled.
4) You should have a list of all your sold manuscripts, the rights sold, and the copyright dates. You will need this information for the executor of your literary estate (whether this is your agent, your attorney, spouse or designated friend).
5) And finally, don't forget to leave instruction about what to do with your journals, diaries and personal papers. Do you want them given to your university, completed or just destroyed?
This list is by no means complete. Depending on your genre, you may need to add or delete things from your own list. But, do make a list and follow up by doing the things on the list to make it easier for your spouse or friend to notify your readers and friends, and to make sure your last wishes are known and followed.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Goodbye Raistlin (Eben)
No post today. Panzer isn't feeling well. One of his friends over at Ebenezar and Snooch went to Kitty Heaven.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Increasing Your Ebook Sales
Have you ever thought about using the sale of your ebook to help you sell your other ebooks? Today, Joe Konrath is blogging about changing the layout of your ebook to help increase your sales.
If you're having trouble making a sale after a sample is downloaded from Amazon, Joe suggests moving the blurb describing what your ebook is about from the back cover to the very front of your ebook. He also suggests moving the copyright page to the back. The aim of these rearrangements is to remind your ebook readers why they downloaded your sample in the first place. I know from my own experience that I've forgotten why I downloaded a sample and didn't bother to go back and read it.
Also in the end matter, Konrath suggests including clickable links for your other ebooks and your blog. He also suggests trading excerpts with other authors in your genre.
Although there are a lot of comments following this blog post, you'll want to read them for their suggestions, too.
Visit A Newbie's Guide to Publishing for some of Joe's interesting suggestion to increase your sales potential.
Whether you agree or not, there are some interesting ideas here. Thank Panzer sooner rather than later because he's getting low on Kitty Treats.
If you're having trouble making a sale after a sample is downloaded from Amazon, Joe suggests moving the blurb describing what your ebook is about from the back cover to the very front of your ebook. He also suggests moving the copyright page to the back. The aim of these rearrangements is to remind your ebook readers why they downloaded your sample in the first place. I know from my own experience that I've forgotten why I downloaded a sample and didn't bother to go back and read it.
Also in the end matter, Konrath suggests including clickable links for your other ebooks and your blog. He also suggests trading excerpts with other authors in your genre.
Although there are a lot of comments following this blog post, you'll want to read them for their suggestions, too.
Visit A Newbie's Guide to Publishing for some of Joe's interesting suggestion to increase your sales potential.
Whether you agree or not, there are some interesting ideas here. Thank Panzer sooner rather than later because he's getting low on Kitty Treats.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
J.K. Rowling is Self-Publishing Ebooks
Everybody is blogging and tweeting about Pottermore today. J.K. Rowling has decided to join the self-publishing ranks with the ebooks of her Harry Potter books.
This news shouldn't surprise anybody. John Locke just sold over a million self-pubbed books at Amazon. Joe Konrath and crew have been selling at Amazon for the last couple of years. So, J.K. Rowling did the smartest thing she could. She decided to self-pub the ebooks
You can read Passive Guy's take at J.K. Rowling is Self-Publishing.
This news shouldn't surprise anybody. John Locke just sold over a million self-pubbed books at Amazon. Joe Konrath and crew have been selling at Amazon for the last couple of years. So, J.K. Rowling did the smartest thing she could. She decided to self-pub the ebooks
You can read Passive Guy's take at J.K. Rowling is Self-Publishing.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Four Crime and Mystery Writer Research Blogs
There are several blogs I like to visit. Here are four of my favorite sites for research, information and ideas:
1. D.P. Lyle's Writer's Forensics blog is an excellent place to post a question, read other writer's questions, or just read through past blog posts for ideas. Want to know how long it takes for a victim to drown? Want to know what caliber bullet is most lethal for a head shot? Check with Dr. Lyle.
2. The Passive Voice blog written by The Passive Guy is an great blog to read about writer contracts or whose doing what in the writing world. (The Passive Guy is an attorney, but don't let that frighten you away. ) Check with The Passive Guy.
3. Writer Dean Wesley Smith's blog is a mixture of contract and agent information and his writing. Want to know why agents' days may be numbered? Want to read some great free short stories? Check with Dean Wesley Smith.
4. Chicago Crimewriter Beth Anderson's blog has a collection of her workshops. Want to know how to write a synopsis? A story opening? Check with Beth Anderson's Hot Clues.
Now, go check out these blogs and tell them Panzer sent you.
1. D.P. Lyle's Writer's Forensics blog is an excellent place to post a question, read other writer's questions, or just read through past blog posts for ideas. Want to know how long it takes for a victim to drown? Want to know what caliber bullet is most lethal for a head shot? Check with Dr. Lyle.
2. The Passive Voice blog written by The Passive Guy is an great blog to read about writer contracts or whose doing what in the writing world. (The Passive Guy is an attorney, but don't let that frighten you away. ) Check with The Passive Guy.
3. Writer Dean Wesley Smith's blog is a mixture of contract and agent information and his writing. Want to know why agents' days may be numbered? Want to read some great free short stories? Check with Dean Wesley Smith.
4. Chicago Crimewriter Beth Anderson's blog has a collection of her workshops. Want to know how to write a synopsis? A story opening? Check with Beth Anderson's Hot Clues.
Now, go check out these blogs and tell them Panzer sent you.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Smashwords Podcast and Upcoming Webcast
Smashwords' Mark Coker was interviewed by Mike Wolf of GigaOm today. The interview covers many subjects of interest to indie authors. You can listen to the podcast or download it at Elitzr.com/
If you want to register for a free O'Reilly webcast on Thursday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, go to Smashwords.com for more information. Read the list of participants and sign up while you still can. This looks to be an information packed webcast.
If you want to register for a free O'Reilly webcast on Thursday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, go to Smashwords.com for more information. Read the list of participants and sign up while you still can. This looks to be an information packed webcast.
John Locke Sells A Million+ Books at the Kindle Store
Woohoo! The indie pub world is blogging and tweeting everywhere about the new indie phenom. John Locke, writer extraordinaire, has joined the "Kindle Million Club" for his fete of the sale of a million (probably more since the announcement yesterday) ebooks at the Kindle Store.
Self Publishing Review has the press release here.
Before you get the wrong idea, do remember, John Locke wrote nine books to make those one million sales.
Self Publishing Review has the press release here.
Before you get the wrong idea, do remember, John Locke wrote nine books to make those one million sales.
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