A Writer's New Year Gift to Him or Herself--An Absolute Must

I am personally recommending this book from the pen and vast experience of Fran Silverman The reason, of course, that it will get you off to the new year with plenty of material for a killer book campaign. Click on the Amazon widget to take you directly to the sales page.

In this bleak economy, there is still one avenue that's free - being a guest on radio. Talk Radio Wants You - An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited (McFarland & Co 2009) provides all you need to know about each show before contacting a host - the theme, guest criteria, the host's opinion of the best and worst guests and what determines who gets invited back. Read more about it at http://www.talkradioadvocate.com



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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Valerie Connelly Offers Book Promotion Secrets

Calling All Authors: How to Publish with Your Eyes Wide Open – Revealing Publishing Myths, Misconceptions & Realities for Published Authors & Writers Who Dream of Becoming Authors
By Valerie Connelly
Nightengale Press 2007
$19.95


Reviewed by Francine Silverman

The best publishing and marketing strategies of guests on Calling All Authors are contained in a book of the same name. Valerie Connelly, the author and radio host, transcribed nuggets from her show that address subjects relevant to authors, i.e., “I carry my books in the car all the time, because almost anywhere you go today, people are waiting, and I ask them if they’d like to have a book to read while they are waiting.”

As a writer, publisher and educator, Valerie includes her own experience and has mined the brains of such experts as writing coaches, book/web designers, and publicists who have appeared on her radio show. Having founded her publishing company, Nightengale Press, in 2003 and publisher of many first time authors, Valerie does what she set out to do – separate fact from fiction in the publishing game.

Although it would have been helpful to include an index - readers and librarians treasure them – the book has many illustrations, Q&A’s and fill-ins that add to the fun.

I find myself picking up the book whenever I run out of ideas – and always find a gem.

Calling All Authors: How to Publish with Your Eyes Wide Open – Revealing Publishing Myths, Misconceptions & Realities for Published Authors & Writers Who Dream of Becoming Authors (Nightengale Press 2007) is $19.95 and available from the publisher at http://www.nightengalepress.com

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The reviewer edits Book Promotion Newsletter. Find it at http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
She is also the "Talk Radio Advocate," and author of Talk Radio Wants You - An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited (McFarland & Co. 2009).

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Author Reviews How-To Tome for Book Promoters

Talk Radio for Authors
By Fran Silverman
Nonfiction/How-to


Reviewed by Judith Woolcock Colombo


Francine Silverman’s Talk Radio for Authors is a fine example of what a “how to book” should be. It is well written and organized in such a way that the reader need not wade through every chapter to get the information he or she needs.

The talk radio shows, both internet and terrestrial, are grouped in sections according to their themes, including programs dealing with authors and their craft, to ones on antiques and collectables, or others serving health enthusiast, animal lovers, hikers, or technophiles. Each show, its theme, its objective, and the type of guests it courts was described clearly and precisely.

However, the section I found most enlightening was the one discussing the hosts’ opinions of the best and worst kind of guests. This section is a must for anyone who is about to be interviewed on a radio show. It could make the difference between selling yourself and your book or exposing yourself to the audience in an unfavorable light.

The appendixes that followed the main part of the book were almost as extensive and just as informative as the chapters that preceded them. The first was a concise list of radio show directories. The second listed authors who had appeared on radio shows and gave a brief description of their experiences and works. The third appendix contained the varied biographies of numerous radio hosts.

I also found the articles at the end of the book very useful, especially Laura Ramirez’s Let the Guest Beware and Alex Carroll’s Making Radio Interviews Really Pay.

This is a great reference book, and I will be referring to it often.
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Judith Woolcock Colombo: Author of The Fablesinger, Night Crimes and The Gasman, and Amazon short.
Visit my web site at http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01 Or email
judithcolombo@hotmail.com for info & sample chapters.

A to Z: Important Questions Answered by Francine Silverman

Book Marketing from A-Z
By Francine Silverman
Purchase Link:http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/search.asp?cat=Marketing&action=browsemarketing 0-7414-2431-2
Reviewed by Shirley Johnson, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

A Must For All Authors To Have!

By Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA

If you were to sit and talk with any writer whose work is having success, and ask them what the main element is that has made this a reality, they would tell you one word, promotion.

As a reviewer, I have read countless books that literally brim over the top with talent and craftsmanship of writing that will never be read by a hungry audience. Why? Because none knows about these rare treasures that would fill them with total ecstasy and pure reading enjoyment. When I am asked, who is your favorite author; I always say, the unknown. It is a sad truth, but there is hope at the end of the tunnel, Book Marketing from A-Z, may indeed give any author a fighting chance in the competitive world of publishing.

What will you find inside the pages of this excellent work? The heart of your fellow authors, reviewers, and others that will share with you their trials, tribulations, failures and successes in book promoting. Written in a clear concise way; this work is easy to navigate, not filled with fluff, but with honest ideas to help you achieve your goals.

Authors from every genre are represented, countless stories and valuable tips literally fill each page with their carefully constructed ideas and plans that have helped to bring them in contact with the reading public. Find out the true answers to questions such as; Just how well do contests do to draw potential buyers? Are reviews really that important? Does having a book signing really make a difference? If you have an unanswered question about promoting, this book will give you the answer.

As one who hears the heart-cry of countless unknown authors, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This work will be a Godsend to you; an author's Bible that you will refer to time and time again; one that will help join you with the reader that is awaiting your hidden treasure.

Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

Disclaimer: Carolyn Howard-Johnson, editor of The New Book Review is quoted in this book. I think it's an exceptional book, too!
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