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http://thepovlounge.webs.com/

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Creating a Good Bio

Every author/writer should have a professional bio. There is no need to hire someone to do it for you. You can do it yourself. All you need are the tools to create one and to know exactly what your bio should include.


First, your bio should include what you have done as a writer and how long you've been writing.


Second, your bio should include all the books you have written, well at least the last 3 or most popular. What awards you've won, contests you've been in or places you've published.


Third, your bio should include any business info such as the names of the companies you own. (Be brief. Give only the names of the companies and a one line description of what they offer.)


Last, it should briefly say where you live, if you're married, have any pets, children, hobbies, etc. Give your readers a brief description of what and who you are outside of writing.


Signing Off,


Dominique Watson

Friday, June 19, 2009

Following a Difficult Passion

When I first started From A Writers POV I did not seek advice or help from other magazine owners. I just had a vision and wanted to see it come to light. Now that From A Writers POV has been going strong for two years, I want to do more with and I'm looking to build a book publishing company.

It's easier said than done let me tell you. I know this project will be much more expensive than it is to simply start a magazine. So this project will take a while and much more money. But what I've been doing is seeking the help of others. Asking around just whatit takes to get into the business. I actually don't have a strong vision for it. It's something I want to do to give many of the readers of the magazine a place to publish their book even if they are not known or are not best sellers.

So when I went asking, no one was able to help. It wasn't that no one could help, I don't think any of them wanted to. They were giving me links on how I should hire them to get started. They were saying I should figure out what the content of this company will be rather than looking into what it costs. I was shocked. Some of the networks I am on speak so highly of how we are supposed to help each other, yet no one wanted to help. So instead of asking others, I went to the library and the internet. I found out a lot of info in both areas.

I said all of that to say this, if you have a dream that you are passionate about, yet you do not know what to do to get it started, you do not know any details about what it takes to build this dream, keep looking until you find your solutions. Don't allow others or dead ends to stop you from following the dream you have. Keep pushing and find resources to get you started. I know I haven't. Building a book publishing company id a dream of mine and I plan to bring it to the light soon. As long as you have a passion like that in your heart in due time it will come as long as you continue to follow the path of it.

Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Trying a new genre or writing form

Some writers tend to get bored with the current genre they write. It's normal for a writer to want to dip into a new genre. It's safe to play around with it but difficult when you plan to publish your work.

Most of the time the one genre that we are comfortable with is the one we stick to the most. That could be fiction novel writing, mystery stories or poetry. Whatever it is, it's one that we are most comfortable with and have a hard time staying away from. If you are trying to dip into a different genre or different form of writing, here are a few tips.

  • Do your homework and research. Research the genre or new writing form and see what others are saying about it. Go to the library and take out a book about it.
  • Read other books in that genre. See how people write in the genre. See what grasps your attention as you read this new genre.
  • Try practicing this new writing form before you publish or display it. Remember, practice makes perfect. So try different types of writing in that genre or form and see how it goes. Eventually you will be a master at it!

Before we end today's blog...

Did you vote for this week's Best Synopsis Finalist? If not, vote here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/home.htm

Signing off,

Dominique Watson

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

From the Publisher & Editor of From A Writers POV

From A Writers POV will be celebrating two years in July. Below this blog you can see half of the banner that was created for this event.

We will be celebrating the authors who are frequent participants in the magazine and network and those that believe in what we are trying to do.

We are also acknowledging our monthly article writers. For some reason they don't get a lot of recognition so each year I like to show my appreciation for them and what they bring to the magazine.

If you click on the banner below, you can sign our card. We would love to hear back from on From A Writers POV. What changes you would like to see and what it has done for you.

From A Writers POV is all about the writers and authors. With out them, we wouldn't exists!

Signing off,
Dominique Watson

Celebrate Two Years with From A Writers POV

Event: From A Writers POV Two Year Anniversary
www.socializr.com/event/932596737
Hosted by: Dominique
When: Jul 1, 2009, 12:00 AM
Location: From A Writers POV Online Magazine
San Diego, CA

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Getting your book in book stores: Guest Speaker Angelisa Hawes

Today we have a guest speaker. I'm excited about this speaker because we are talking to this person about something we have never discussed on The POV Lounge.

Today we are speaking with Angelisa Hawes. She is a bookstore owner and she will be telling us how to get our books into stores and how to get book signings. Read her interview below.

Dominique Watson (DW): As the owner of a bookstore, what books do you see being sold the most in your store? What genre?

Angelisa Hawes (AW): In my store I sell alot of best sellers-fiction mostly. Books found on the NYT best seller list, Washington Post best seller list, Essence's list, books promoted or talked about on television shows/radio shows, children's books w /African- American characters, and classic children's books like Good Night Moon.

DW: What do you believe is the key for an author to get their book into a store?

AW: I believe that the author or PR person has to promote the book well.
Approaching bookstore owners or staff whether it be an independent bookstore or a big chain store talk to them about carrying your book and possibly doing a signing. Some stores will buy a few copies, some stores will do a commision sales- where you sign a contract w/ the store for the store to carry a few copies and once the book (s) sells then you receive a check or a call to come and pick up your check. Try to get book wholesalers like Ingram and Baker and Taylor to carry your book. These wholesalers allow booksalers to order the book free freight (w/ a minimum), give a discount, and most of the time return books that haven't sold.
Have a great book, great cover, and great promotional material.

DW: What do you believe is the key for an author to get a book signing?

AW: Authors need to have their "elevator speech" down to a science. Bookstore owners are bombarded via email, mail, and walk -ins by authors asking for a store to carry their book and to have a signing. Ask bookstore owners in you communities. Also, talk to bookgroups in your area about reading your book-you won't believe what type of following you can develop by getting bookgroups behind your book.

Talk about your book w/ confidence, have a copy of your book to give to the bookstore owner so that the owner can read it and see if this is a book that would work in their store, have promotional materials such as bookmarks, postcards, etc so that the bookstore owner can pass it out to customers.

DW: What mistakes do you feel authors make when it comes to marketing and PR?

AW: believe that some authors get so excited when there books are published that they either buy a bunch of copies and give them away to friends and family-YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BUY YOUR BOOK!!Instead of taking those copies and giving them away to friends and family ask an independent bookstore can they put their book in their store on a commision bases, or asking a library to put it in their local author section (be sure to ask that if you give a copy of your book to the library -that they don't put it in a booksale/Friend's sale-some libraries won't add a book in to their collection unless it was bought from a wholesaler ex:Baker and Taylor, Ingram. Don't be afraid to approach the big chainstores also-all they can say is no! Look for free advertising-use social networking like Facebook, Twitter,blogging, etc.

DW: Is it important to hire someone with the expertise?

AW: If you have the money I would but I know of a lot of authors who made it w/ out-they were their own advocate!

DW: What if the author doesn't have the finances to afford a PR, what now?

AW: If an author doesn't have the finances to afford PR then I suggest you spend money w/ a great priniting/design company that can make great promotional materials-business cards, postcard fliers, bookmarks, stationery, magnets etc. Also, take a good picture of yourself to use in promotional materials-some stores put pictures online of local authors-you can also put a small picture of yourself inside of the cover. Try to attend book conferences like Book Expo, regional book sales/conferences to do networking or to sale books. (Ex: Harlem Book Fai, Capital Book Fest, Baltimore book Fest) find writer's guilds-work w/ other writer's authors. Be your own PR rep-whether selling books out of the trunk of your car or telling someone about your book while you wait in the grocery store check-out line - Teri Woods has a clip online where she talks about standing on the street hustling her books to people walking by and how it worked for her.

Come up w/ creative ways to get your book out there. For example, If I was an author I would approach a local B and B (Bed and Breakfast) and ask them if I could put a copy of my book in their library -so while guest are relaxing in their rooms or in the parlor they can read your book. (Of course you are giving a copy to the
B and B owner-and it's costs them nothing). Offer to do talks on how you got published to other aspiring writers who are thinking about writing a book.
If you are self-published still contact literary scouts, publishers, etc so that you can possibly get picked up by a big publishing company. While visting/ vacationing visit bookstores to promote your book. You can contact stores before you visit about doing a signing or about making an appointment to talk to the bookstore owner about carrying your book.

Last, the book business is a tough business-keep your head up and keep believing!

Thanks for allowing me to share my knowledge!!
Angelisa
Book Nook Bookstore-Arts District Hyattsville

DW: Thank you so much for doing the interview! I'm sure your info and advice is very helpful!

I think it's very helpful for authors to know exactly what to do to get their books in stores. Any advice to help with your writing career. We have so many resources around us, let's use them to our advantage!

Before we end today's blog...

Be a Guest Speaker on The POV Lounge. Do you have some tips and advice on writing, marketing, editing, publishing, etc. We want to hear your advice and tips. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/guestspeaker.htm

Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Are you looking for a service?

View below this week's list of services. You might find a service you are looking !

Writer's Eye Advisory Servicehttp://www.writerseye.com/Life coaching around identifying and developing womens' creativity skills.

Fulling Your Writing Needs. Freelance writer, editor, book reviewer, and marketer. http://www.stormywriter.com/

DvineExpressions Book Club, LLChttp://dvineexpressionsbookclub.com/Providing marketing and promotional services to the Self-Published Christian Author w/o 60/40 split.

ZLS Publishing, LLChttp://www.zlspublishing.com/We specialize in small businesses and working with authors by providing e-newsletters and publishing services.

Be sure to tune in next week for our list of services!

Before we end today's blog.....

Got an event going on this weekend? Submit it to our Writers VIP Weekend!
http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writersweekendform.htm

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

How to start a story

A lot of writers that I come in contact with ask me this question, "How should I start my book?"

My answer is always to figure out where you want the story to begin. I also ask, have you done an outline? Most writers make the mistake of just writing and easily getting writers block or coming out of the writing season before they are ready to. If you formulate an outline first you will have a path of where the book will go. Not all writers follow their outline but it helps.

You also need to ask yourself who is going to tell the story? First Person, Second Person, Narrator (Third Person)

Also, is it necessary to start at the end of the story and then recapture the events that got you to the end? Or should you simply begin at the beginning and tell the story?

Do you want your story to start of with a lot of drama, if so what will the drama be? What will set the story off to keep readers interested.

When trying to figure out how you want to start your story, start asking yourself a lot of questions and then you will know how to begin!

Before we end today's blog...

Post your poems on our Open Poetry Cafe! http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/apps/blog/

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson