Nearly a full-house enjoyed a stellar presentation from Smashwords founder and CEO Mark Coker. He has very generously shared his slides from the presentation with a wealth of great tips, resources, and secrets to selling more ebooks and making more money.
Dan Poynter visited PWSD on October 25th
Dan returned to our meetings to give some signature "Poynters" on publishing. Dan has become one of, if not the, leading authority on publishing. PWSD is honored that he took the time come visit, and share his knowledge with our small family of writers and publishers her in San Diego. If you missed the lecture, or want to revisit the slides, you can find them here!
Dan Poynter: Publishing Poynters from the Guru
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Location: Carlsbad (Dove) Library
Whether you sell out to a publisher or publish yourself, the author must do the promotion. This has always been true but the book publishing industry is changing. Today, book promotion is faster, easier, cheaper, and a lot more fun.
Dan will describe the new ways to promote your book and will provide you with the necessary tools.
All specifics, no generalities.
This presentation is full of supporting statistics and scenarios.
The voluminous handout has all the (take home) details.
Doesn’t your book deserve publicity?
Dan Poynter is an author (130+ books), publisher (since 1969), speaker (Certified Speaking Professional). His seminars have been featured on CNN, his books have been pictured in The Wall Street Journal and his story has been told in The New York Times. The media come to Dan because he is the leading authority on book publishing. A professional speaker, he travels more than 6,000 miles each week to share his book plan. Dan is a past vice-president of the Publishers Marketing Association. He lives in Santa Barbara.
Canaries in the Coalmine: Lessons and Insights for Publishers from Digital Music, Video and Content Marketing
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September 27, 2014
Location: Carlsbad (Dove) Library
Thanks to the ease of producing and distributing eBooks, a rich ecosystem is evolving to support indie authors and non-traditional publishers. Music, the first digital media impacted by the evolution of the Internet, sheds light on where we are headed. Musicians (and labels) have learned that it takes multiple revenue streams and adept use of social media and online marketing to attract an audience. Online video isn’t far behind. Have you noticed how many eBook subscription services like to call themselves “the Netflix of books”?
Content marketing—using your information as a form of advertising—can be a construct to guide us in building our platforms and launching a book. How are fiction and non-fiction indie publishers tapping the power of content marketing to sell more books and raise their personal visibility?
eBooks continue to shape our marketing and editorial decisions. Join us on September 27th when David Wogahn returns for our 4th annual update on the state of eBook publishing.
Nicole Op Den Bosch from Audible.com
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Nicole has been working for Audible since 2009 and is currently a Rights Evangelist for ACX. She talks to authors all day, from the traditionally published to independent authors and introduces them to the Audiobook Creation Exchange. Before joining the ACX team, she acquired existing audio from content providers such as publishers, literary agents and authors for Audible.
Discussion Description
Audiobook publishing is one of the fastest growing segments of the publishing industry. If you’ve written an ebook or print book, learn how to have it produced as an audiobook. In this session, we’ll discuss how easy it is to use Audible.com’s Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) to make audiobooks. Topics include selecting audition scripts, casting a winning voice, how to work with audiobook producers, and how to sell your completed audiobook on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
Leah Singer: What You Must Do to Establish Your Online Author Presence
July 26, 2014
Location: Carlsbad Dove Library
In today's world of online marketing and social media, it's critical that writers not only have a great book to sell, but also an established online presence. But how do you create this online platform?
In this workshop, attendees will learn how to create an online marketing strategy that includes social media (Facebook and Twitter), a simple website and blog, and tips for networking with online writers, bloggers and author platforms that can help you get your name - and book - known to the world.
Leah R. Singer helps helps writers and entrepreneurs tell their story through online marketing and social media strategy. She specializes in connecting businesses to their ideal customers, as well as assisting unpublished authors build an online presence.
Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Leah was a speechwriter and communications manager for two college presidents at San Diego’s largest public university. She also served as Director of Communications for the San Diego State University (SDSU) Enrollment Services Department, and managed high-profile special events for the SDSU Office of the President. Before her years at SDSU, Leah worked in marketing and public relations at KPBS public broadcasting station.
Leah writes regularly for The Huffington Post; Red Tricycle; Edible San Diego; InterfaithFamily.com; Millionaire Girls Movement; and numerous other national blogs and websites.
Susan McBeth: Tips on Creating Outside the Bookstore Author Events
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June 28th, 2014
Location: Carlsbad Dove Library
Susan McBeth is the owner of Adventures by the Book, which she founded in 2011 to bring literature to life through unique, interesting, and adventurous author events and travels. She is also the founder of the SoCal Author Academy, a series of hands-on intimate workshops that teach authors how to market their books and create non-bookstore events, as well as a contributor to Everyday Book Marketing published by Midge Raymond in fall 2013.
Susan has worked as an events coordinator for over 20 years, four and a half of which were spent specializing in author events at an independent bookstore. She graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with distinction in management, and a minor in German, followed by a master’s in comparative literature, while earning membership in Phi Beta Kappa and the Mortar Board Honor Society. She is a member of the “One Book, One San Diego” committee and the Writing Women of San Diego. Read more at www.adventuresbythebook.com.
Amy Collins: New Shelves Distribution
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Location: Carlsbad Dove Library
Amy Collins, President of New Shelves Distribution, will talk about the advantages and challenges of working with a distributor to get your book into bookstores. She will outline how to choose the best distributor for your book, and how to put together the best presentation and marketing plan to get your book accepted by one of the top distributors. Amy will also present a realistic picture of a sales call with the top bookbuyers at the national chains, and what you as author/publisher can do to make sure your book gets the best chance to succeed in the bookstore.
Amy started her career in the book industry as the book buyer for Village Green Books in Rochester, New York. In 1996, she became a National Account Rep for Prima Publishing. In 2001, Amy was named Director of Sales at Adams Media in Boston and quickly rose to the Special Sales Director for parent company, F+W Media. Over the years, she has sold to Barnes & Noble, Target, Costco, Borders, Books-A-Million, Wal-Mart, and all the major chains as well as helped launch several private label publishing programs for the book chains and companies such as PetSmart and CVS. In February 2006, she started a book marketing company for small presses that quickly became the fastest-growing book distribution company in North America, New Shelves Distribution.
Barbra Drizin: A Social Media Primer for Authors and Writers
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Location: Carlsbad Dove Library
Please join us for an exciting overview session of social media platforms that benefit writers and authors, with live examples of how they are used (featuring blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube, LinkedIn, e-newsletters, and marketing strategies.
Barbra is an educator at heart. Her passion is teaching others by conveying technical knowledge in a way that is easily understood. Barbra founded Start From Scratch Social MediaTM in 2010 as a means of expressing that passion.
Barbra owned and operated a successful independent staffing company in Silicon Valley during the hi-tech revolution. She worked with many start-ups and acquired a fascination with technology and became an eager student. As Barbra expanded her knowledge, her path became clear - teaching others there is a virtual world to discover and explore!
Today Barbra weaves her technical skills, knowledge of social media, experience as an educator and desire to help people into Start From Scratch Social Media.
Offering services, workshops and presentations to a target market of the “resistant, reluctant and intimidated,” Barbra demystifies social media in a fun, informative and interactive way. Her audiences and clients walk away with the specific knowledge and motivation they need to use the resources and wealth of opportunities available by using social media.
There are three focuses of Start From Scratch Social Media:
- Group & Organization Presentations and Workshops
- Individual Client Education and Implementation
- Social Media Management
Barbra also teaches Ipad, Iphone, apps, and computer.
Her mission is to make you comfortable, competent, and confident in the virtual world! And to discover which which social media platforms are right for you: for personal fulfillment, visibility, engagement and profit!
Lit & Libations with New York Times bestselling author Ryan Winfeld
Adventures by the book is pleased to launch a new series of events Lit & Libations with New York Times bestselling author RYAN WINFIELD
Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 6:30pm
About the Event
Venue: Mission Hills Books & Collectibles, 4054 Goldfinch St., San Diego 92103
Special Introductory Admission: $15 per person (includes glass of wine)
Information/Reservations: www.adventuresbythebook.com or (619) 300-2532
Join us for the launch of our exciting new series, Lit & Libations, featuring New York Times bestselling author Ryan Winfield. Do you have A Reading Problem You Love to Wine About? If so, Lit & Libations Adventures are designed especially for you!
Enjoy an engaging book discussion, Q&A, and book signing with a fabulous author (the “Lit”), share a glass of wine and light appetizers with fellow reading enthusiasts (the “Libations”) , socialize, network with other readers and authors, and see how books can indeed connect people and communities.
About the Featured Author and Book
Ryan Winfield is the New York Times bestselling author of multiple books, including his most recent, Jane's Melody (Atria Books).Fans of Nicholas Sparks will enjoy meeting Ryan, a wonderful storyteller with rich and dynamically drawn characters and settings.
What boundaries would you cross for true love? That is the question a grieving mother must answer when she takes in a young street musician she believes can tell her more about her daughter's death - only to find herself falling for him. Jane’s Melody follows a forty-year old woman on a romantic journey of rediscovery after years of struggling alone.Sometimes, our greatest gifts come from our greatest pain.And now Jane must decide if it's too late for her to start over, or if true love really knows no limits.