from blog to book by kylie ofiu
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Blog to Book Preparation
- Top 10 posts - Write something that would make a good book - Be easy to contact - Be social - Grow your network
Pitching Your Book
- Book overview - Contents outline - Blog statistics - Networks you are affiliated with
Book Contract – What To Look For
The publishing rights First PublishedAll Published RightsSecondary Rights
Royalty percentage 10 – 15% new authors 15 – 40% experienced authors
Legal rights and issuesCheck the details to ensure you don’t pay if someone sues.
Authors need to be tough negotiators
Royalties and Advances
New authors
Royalties 10 – 15%
advance $2,000 - $6,000
Experienced authors
Royalties 15 – 40%
Advance$6,000+
TipIf you are a big blogger or have a large online presence and network you can demand more than new author rates.
Check legal rights and issues to avoid liability
When Writing Your Book
Write in your voice but do not assume readers of your book follow your blog. Be specific.
Books can come from anywhere such as one idea or a series of posts.
To Stay On Track
- Set specific writing time
- Keep a notebook/use notebook app
- Be flexible
- Take breaks
Editing
- Take a few days break
- Use someone else
- Be prepared for opinions and advice
Who You Deal With
- Acquisitions editor
- Editor
- Chief editor
- Marketing personnel
- Publicist
Contact
Contact will vary greatly during different times of the process from almost daily to nothing for weeks. Don’t worry about it.
You are the key to marketing your book effectively
Marketing to Media
Find out who is in charge of the relevant section of the magazine/newspaper/TV show you want to pitch to.
Check out their style.
Work out an angle that would suit that.
Pitch it.
Book Promotion
Things I did:
- Contact local media- Blog tour- Give aways
- Contact TV shows- Got active on social media
- Book signings- Attend events
- Ask for reviews
- Change email signature
Book Promotion
Things publicist did:
- Contact all media and did negotiations- Mass PR emails- Work on ways to promote your book at events
- Sent out the giveaway copies- Pitched it to events
Book Promotion
Other Suggestions:
YouTube: • Do a reading• An interview a back ground of why you wrote it, what it’s about • A trailer of the book.
Public speakingSuch as conference, other events or even schools
Book Parties More effective for cookbooks or books you can demonstrate the ideas
Mainstream vs. Self Publishing
Promotion
- Mainstream get your book into stores easier
- Mainstream publishers often have more contacts
- Many media outlets and book stores do not take self-published books seriously
Mainstream vs. Self Publishing
Writing and Editing
- Self-publishing you have to pay someone else to edit
- Mainstream publishers often have 3 or more people edit your book
- Self-publishing means no advance to help write the book
Mainstream vs. Self Publishing
Other
- Self-publishing you own all publishing rights to the book
- Difference between the promotional work required between mainstream and self-publishing is negligible
- Self-publishing means there is no pressure to finish
Print vs. eBook
- Print books can help bring awareness to your brand/blog
-eBooks make more money (if promoted well)
www.kylieofiu.comTwitter: @kylieofiuFacebook: KylieOfiu