Category Archives: Writing tips

Tips to improve your use of words, your skill at writing, and to help you publish.

Sticker Mule: “Merch” Made Easy

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bronze finals - 01

Okay, it has no sticker, but it is a mule!  You’ll find Sticker Mule and much more info at the link provided.

Authors—or anyone marketing—are you looking for an awesome place to buy affordable printed “merch” for your books or products? You know… marketing merchandise, like stickers, buttons, labels, magnets, packaging, and such? Maybe something imprinted with the cover of your book?

Sticker Mule is your answer.

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Haley’s upcoming book release.

One of my author friends, Haley Rose, uses them with relish to raise awareness for her darling, educational children’s picture books.

Direct from Sticker Mule’s website, here’s what they’re about: “We relentlessly focus on making it fast and easy to order custom products. Order in seconds and get your products in days. Free proofs, free artwork help, free shipping, and fast turnaround are why people love us.”

Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth

New book debuts at conference for savvy women business owners

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Book 3 in the Living Brave series debuts later this month at the “Voices of Success” conference.

You know how hearing just one comment, or reading a certain book can alter your life journey? Well, there’s such a moment coming up for you…

I had the honor to edit and produce the latest book in the Living Brave series by Dr. Hilda Villaverde and Mary Beth Stern: Living Brave… Women in Business: Compelling Stories of How ONE Can Make a Difference. It is filled with life-altering input from nearly fifty Arizona women thriving in business.

The book will be released in just a couple of weeks, but if you want to hear some of these women’s stories first-hand, you really should consider attending the authors’ “Voices of Success” conference, offering a day of inspiration. I highly recommend you invest in your future with this day-long session where you’ll learn how women just like you succeeded in business by using their skills, backgrounds, and sheer will to overcome whatever stood in their way.

Please join Hilda and Mary Beth for the  “Voices of Success” conference:
Sat. Oct. 27, 2018
8 a.m.– 5p.m.

Scottsdale Hilton Resort
6333 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

You will find all the details here, including how to register.

Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth strategy

 

Five huge reasons to leverage ebook preorders

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Mikk Stone by John Taylor

Delfaerune Rhapsody antagonist Mikk Stone, will play a major role in book 2 of my series: Beat of the Pakiri.  Illustration by John Taylor.

One of the greatest tips I picked up today from the Desert Dreams Romance Writers Association conference: the amazing benefits of setting up new book preorders. Jim Azevedo from Smashwords, gave an hour presentation on the topic, including the following compelling reasons to do it. (See Jim’s full article.)

Five Benefits of Ebook Preorders as a Book Launch Marketing Tool

  1. Preorders enable more effective advanced marketing.
  2. Preorders signal commitment.
  3. Simultaneous release at multiple retailers.
  4. Preorders can lead to better reviews.
  5. Fast track to bestseller lists.

I am definitely going to try this for Beat of the Pakiri, if for no better reason than to have a spike of sales on the first day the book is available when those early purchases officially post. Plus, it might actually make me set a schedule to finish the book by a specific release date! 🙂

Note: Making your ebook available on Smashwords, or other ebooks outlets, will negate any exclusive standing with Kindle Select on Amazon, so you will not be able to participate in Kindle Select ebook promotions.

Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth

P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.

Fourth annual Write On! workshop

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A free book writing seminar (win #1) from four established local experts (win #2, all members of the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers. You have everything to gain (win #3) from the time you invest.

Nothing should keep you from RSVPing… right now. Just sayin’.

write on flyer 2017

Build readership through Wattpad critiques – ALWAYS

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Wattpad_Logo_Orange

I have just discovered Wattpad, thanks to our ALWAYS tribe’s “resident expert” on everything book-related, Karen Mueller Bryson.

The Toronto-based company offers a Web site “connecting a community of more than 45 million people around the world through serialized stories about the things they love.”  Basically, authors can upload books-in-progress, and receive feedback as they write. You can also read others’ books and provide feedback. The audience is young-ish, so young adult and new-adult works do especially well in Wattpad.

Here are the steps they recommend to get readers to notice your books on the site:

  1. Update your stories regularly, at least once a week.
  2. Make your stories stand out through use of keywords, visuals, and other media.
  3. Talk to your readers.
  4. Follow other writers.
  5. Share stories on social media.
  6. Challenge your writing by entering a Wattpad writing contest.
  7. Learn from other Wattpad writers.

And, here’s another helpful article “How to Get More Out of Wattpad: 6 Authors Share Their Best Practices,” which I found particularly informative.

I’m going to give Wattpad a shot, and will keep you apprised of my experience as I go along.

Have you used Wattpad? What did you like best? What would you change?

Five book events to rock your world

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Sculpture in a public library in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Your inner storyteller wants you to indulge in one or all of these upcoming events… for the sake of the book you’re writing.

Listen to that little voice, it will not steer you wrong!

Th., Oct. 13: Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS)

Meet in-person with other established authors to discuss writing “voice” with Susan Pohlman, at the next gathering of the ALWAYS writers’ tribe: in Phoenix, AZ, on Thurs., Oct. 13, 2016, at 11:30 a.m.

Sa. Oct. 8 and F., Oct. 14: Rock The Drop

Young adult writers, learn from YA authors at the 5th Annual Rock The Drop Kick-Off Event on Sa., Oct. 8.

Then, join the Readergirlz (and guyz!) as they “drop” YA books with identifying bookmarks all over town on Friday, October 14, for other teens to find.

Learn more.

Sa., Oct. 15 and W., Oct. 19: “Key Editing Tips to Wow A Publisher”
My presentation explaining how to avoid the key writing issues I consistently change in manuscripts I edit. 

  • 12 p.m.-2 p.m., Sat., Oct. 15, 2016, at the Phoenix Writers Club,
    Bluewater Grill, 1720 E. Camelback, Phoenix, AZ

What other event do you know of, coming up? Please comment.

Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth

P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.

Key editing secrets to write a compelling story: Tempe library workshop

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Ann Videan

Here I am presenting last time at the Tempe Public Library… same topic, but I’ve added a few tips.

As an editor, I consistently fix a handful of writing issues as I read through manuscripts.

As a writer, if you knew about these issues, you could avoid them before your editor even reached for a red pen. You could create a much more vibrant manuscript to submit to a potential publisher… one that compels your reader deep into your story or message.

Allow me to give you the inside scoop at a free workshop, #2 in my series of four writing presentations: “Key Editing Secrets To Write A Compelling Story.”

Sat., Sept. 17, 2016
10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Tempe Public Library
Meeting Room A

Can’t wait to see you there!

 

 

Free writers’ workshops equal “magic elixir” to induce better writing

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In one day, you can “magically” gain a wide spectrum of knowledge about writing more vibrantly in any genre.

Twelve local, multi-published authors will discuss everything from managing writer’s block and crafting romance to writing Native American characters and managing outrageous marketing. (That latter topic, I’m thrilled to say, will be covered by “yours truly.”) I will also contribute to the keynote panel discussion at the end of the day: “Communities, Conferences and Critique Groups.”

Where and when can you find all this “magic elixir?”

The Desert Rose Chapter of the Romance Writers of America sponsors its…

11th annual Free Writers’ Workshops
Scottsdale Civic Center Library
Sat. Nov. 5, 2016
10:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Learn a bunch, rub elbows with authors, buy books, and have fun with us!

Have questions? Contact Valen Cox at valencox3@gmail.com.

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“You cannot miss this!” your future book screams.

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Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
P.S. Learn more about my novels on Google+.

Need a beta reader? Here’s a proven resource from Oz.

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Beta readers are especially valuable for for indie authors, as they provide input on story line, content, and characters—often during a book’s drafting process. My brilliant author friend Karen Mueller Bryson shared information about such a service: Hot Tree Editing. Founders of the ten-year-old Queensland, Australia-based firm pride themselves on “approachable, friendly and cost-effective editing service.”

Critique image

A beta reader will provide comments like these (in red) from a critique partner on my Beat of the Pakiri manuscript-in-progress.

 

Hot Tree offers a relatively inexpensive pre-edit beta reading, for approximately $35 per avid, BA-degreed, and experienced reader. You’ll receive an annotated script and a Hot Tree Editing beta report covering character and plot development, discrepancies, and overall readability.

They charge for other literary services, too, like proofreading and line and content edits, but offer their “post-edit beta reading service for FREE, alongside a line and content edit.” The beta readers’ payment includes the read of your manuscript, your gratitude, and some small recognition.

The service is available upon request only, so plan extra time in your schedule to take advantage of it. Learn more by contacting Hot Tree email.

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Indie publishing • Word-of-mouth
Check out my Book Shepherding sessions.
avidean@videanunlimited.com