Established authors’ secrets for creating creative book covers – ALWAYS

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Ann Videan

The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) —
a tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers —
gathers once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except our tips are not so secret, since we share them with you.

TOPIC:
Established authors, when it comes to book covers…
• Do you know what elements will catch a reader’s eye?
• Do you know some low-cost avenues for artwork?
• Do you know what to avoid in the design?
Let’s gather over a delicious lunch and share ideas.
If you can’t attend, can you leave a book-cover tip in the comments below?

Next gathering:
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224

Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com

If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
…………………………………………………………….

ABOUT ALWAYS

• Need contacts to help your writing work?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.

Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

Fast, cheap, book postcard resource: Secret Writers’ Society (ALWAYS)

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Ann Videan

The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) —
a tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers — gather once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except the tips we share are not so secret, because we share them with you.
Here’s another one…

Ready to create a handout about your book… perhaps a business card, sticker, or postcard? NextDayFlyers online can print them up for you quickly, and quite inexpensively.

Front of postcard

Back of postcard

Say I want the front cover of my Song of the Ocarina novel on one side of a postcard, and the back cover on the other. I can upload both easily at the site. It’s painless, too, because I already have the artwork, right? You also can create your own design to upload, or choose instead to use NextDayFlyers’ design services.

If I order 100, 5×7″, four-color, glossy postcards, I can have them delivered in two to four business days for about $55. Cool right?

What other resources can you suggest for fast, easy, inexpensive book materials?

…………………..

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

Speaking opportunities for authors made easy – ALWAYS

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Ann Videan

If you are an established writer in the Phoenix metro area, consider gathering with us at the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) tribe meeting on Thurs., June 11, 2015.

My free workshops at the Tempe Library have helped me sell both books and writing/editing services, because those are my topics. What can you talk about to help you sell books?

TOPIC: Speaking opportunities for authors
• How do you set up speaking engagements where you can also sell your book?
• What topics do you cover when you talk?
• What are some of the best practices for speaking as an author?

Find out at our next ALWAYS gathering.

Next gathering:
Thursday, June 11, 2014
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224

Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

ABOUT ALWAYS

• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?

Key book-organization tools: Secret Writers’ Society (ALWAYS)

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Ann Videan

We look a lot more vibrant than this in person!
Wendy, Patricia, Ann, Mallary, Marsha, Karen, and Alana

The Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) — a tribe of established, Phoenix-area writers — gather once a month for lunch and a chat about writing. It’s rather like a Secret Writer’s Society, except the tips we share are not so secret, since we share them with you. 🙂

Key Book-Organization Tools

Many authors I’ve encountered in the past several weeks brought up the topic of how to organize a book. ALWAYS members shared a handful of fun and worthwhile suggestions:

1. Use a large sketch pad for writing notes; and to draw, map, or paste visual ideas that pertain to the story. You can also use it to develop a portable storyboard for your plot.

2. Write character notes or actions, important plot point, or scene ideas on colored 3×5 cards. Use a different color for characters, plot points, etc.

3. Post a visual timeline or cards or Post-It notes on a cork board in the room where you write.

4. Use software to help organize all your thoughts and ideas:

Scrivner content generation tool
Aeon Timeline timeline tracking
MindGenius mind mapping
Write Way Pro book organization

What other ideas can you share?

…………………..

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

Book plotting made easy — ALWAYS

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Ann Videan

Do you know the direction your story will take? Learn plotting techniques from other established writers at our May 14 ALWAYS author gathering over lunch in downtown Gilbert, AZ.

Established writer, gather with us to talk plotting at the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) tribe meeting on May 14, 2015, in Gilbert, Ariz.

TOPIC:
Let’s share our secrets about plotting stories. Bring an outline, book, or recap of your favorite plot development techniques to share with the group.

Next gathering:
Thursday, May 14, 2014
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224

Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

ABOUT ALWAYS

• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?

How to become a best-selling Amazon author, and other secrets — ALWAYS

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Ann Videan

Twenty, established, Phoenix-area writers met for lunch at the Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) gathering on March 12, 2015, in Phoenix. Here’s what happened.

At our tribe meeting, Deborah Brown, co-owner of Peters & Brown Multimedia Marketing & Publishing, shared five “amazing” book marketing tactics to reach Amazon best-seller status and build a book platform. Here they are:

ALWAYS members absorb Deborah’s valuable marketing tips. (Photo by Eduardo Cervino.)

1. Start with the end in mind, to sell at least 1,000 ebooks in your category at a discount.

Her ideas included tips like:

Make sure your ebook tile and subtitle include your keywords.
Sell the book for $.99.
Use all four category designations available: two for print, two for Kindle.

2. Build your platform first

Start blogging about your book before it’s written.
Create lead pages to separate raving fans from others.
Follow Debbie Macomber and John Locke as great role models.
Use Pinterest for authors, linking to your blog.
Offer a multi-author box set.

3. Nurture your FLASH mob, perhaps starting with a campaign for crowd funding. Your mob includes:

Friends and family
Loyal clients and customers
Able and willing well-wishers
Selected partners
Hand-picked ambassadors

4. Capture leads on launch day.

Amazon does not identify who buys your book, so pre-market the launch date on a separate book-deal Web page, where you can capture contact info.

5. Keep marketing after your launch.

Do talk shows like Deborah’s “Boomer and the Babe” podcast.
Do something every day.

You can’t possibly get the scope of all of Deborah’s good ideas just from these highlights, so I encourage you to find the full version of her handout under the Files link on the ALWAYS Facebook page, or to contact her.

Watch our ALWAYS Facebook page for details on our next gathering on April 9, 2015 (we meet on the second Thursday of the month).

Do you have an idea for a topic or speaker? Maybe some information you need to help you move forward? Perhaps you or someone you know has some great author-related info to relate? Recommend away!

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
avidean@videanunlimited.com

Five special tactics to reach Amazon bestseller status and build your reader platform — ALWAYS

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Ann Videan

Here are some members of our illustrious tribe—Al, Ann, Karen, Martha, Laurie, Megan, Shayne—sharing a delicious lunch and stimulating conversation.
Join us at our March 12 ALWAYS meeting with Deborah Brown in Phoenix to learn more about becoming an Amazon best seller, and building your author platform.

Established writer:
• Do you know how to become a best-selling Amazon author in your category?
• Do you have an online platform for your book that helps you connect with your audience?

Deborah Brown, Peters and Brown Marketing (PetersandBrownMarketing.com), will share some tips concerning these questions at our March ALWAYS tribe meeting, at a more central location.

Next gathering:
Thursday, March 12, 2015
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Old Spaghetti Factory
1418 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Just south of McDowell Road on Central Ave. Please plan extra time for downtown light rail traffic and parking.)

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, avidean@videanunlimited.com

ABOUT ALWAYS

Are you an established writer who:
• Needs contacts to help your writing?
• Wants advice about your writing?
• Likes to hang with other cool writers?

Share your experience with author TV and radio interviews – ALWAYS

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Ann Videan

Snapped this shot of Kevin Hearne, author of the Iron Druid Chronicles (https://www.facebook.com/authorkevin?ref=br_tf) at his *Shattered* book signing in Colorado. He's so at ease with an audience... I'm assuming he's great with the media, too. Are you? Come find out how you can succeed with broadcast media at our January ALWAYS gathering.

Snapped this shot of Kevin Hearne, author of the Iron Druid Chronicles at his *Shattered* book signing in Colorado. He’s so at ease with an audience… I’m assuming he’s great with the media, too. Are you?
Come find out how you can succeed with broadcast media at our January ALWAYS gathering.

Gather with the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) on Jan. 15, 2015.

TOPIC: What can you bring to the table concerning broadcast marketing for books? How can you prepare? Where are the best broadcast outlets to tout your book? Had some luck? Suffered a bad experience? Know someone who has? Please come and share your experiences, and invite anyone else who you know who might have something to contribute to the group. (We’ll meet a week later than usual, this month.)

Next gathering:
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2014
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224

Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan

ABOUT ALWAYS

• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. ALWAYS is an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area. Connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or meet with us in person at a monthly lunch meeting.

We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting to discuss our craft and businesses … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
avidean@videanunlimited.com

Share proven tips in our free established author roundtable — ALWAYS

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Ann Videan

If you feed them, will they come? This is a question you might pose about book signings. These delicious treats at my recent book signing with C.L. Gillmore (A Friend Request) were a hit attendees. It helps when you fellow author used to cater.

If you feed them, will they come? This is a question you might pose about book signings. Attendees loved these delicious treats at my recent Song of the Ocarina book signing with C.L. Gillmore (A Friend Request). It helps when your fellow author used to cater events.

What obstacles interfere with your writing?
What are you losing sleep over?
Need ideas and resources to move forward?

It’s a writer’s-choice meeting! Bring your questions and issues to the table for your fellow established authors’ input at our December 2014 gathering of the Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS).

Next gathering:
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Café
(downtown GIlbert, AZ)
207 N. Gilbert Rd. #105
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
(480) 962-4224

Back-up location:
Joe’s BBQ
301 N. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-3805

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Join” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan

ABOUT ALWAYS

• Need contacts to help your writing?
• Want advice about your writing?
• Like to hang with other cool writers?

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
avidean@videanunlimited.com

Author secrets—from world-building to a writers’ residence exchange—ALWAYS

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Ann Videan

Our November 2014 tips from established writers attending the
Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) gathering.
Read ’em and reap.

I was asked by one of the ALWAYS authors to share some world-building tips with our tribe, on the heels of publishing my new fantasy adventure Song of the Ocarina.

For a copy of my handout, visit the Files link on the ALWAYS Facebook page. Here are the high-level points from my wee presentation*:

1. Pick a unique idea or set of ideas to frame the world.
Mine centered around:

Noel Stone, newly Noble Fae, musician, and sometime sheep shearer. Image by John Taylor. ©2013 VUPublishing

Noel, a 6-1/2′ tall character who came to me in a dream
A New Zealand-type realm influenced by the Maori culture
Fae names:
- Noble Fae all natural (Lark, Glenn, B’rook)
- Dark Fae based on burned-out rock stars (Mikk, Kert, Axyl)

2. Rules – establish logical rules for your world (especially putting limitations around magic, or developing cultural activities)

3. Rituals – structure a set of set activities in the world’s culture (greetings, birthdays, weddings/funerals, art/music, sports)

4. Power – develop a series of hierarchies (government, education, communities)

5. Place – more than setting, describe the place from a character’s perspective

* Malinda Lo’s blog provided world-building inspiration for my comments.

Additional tips from our authors:

Support indie authors by buying their books rather than sharing or free downloads. Your support means they can continue creating the stories you love.
Looking for a place to write? Check out Poets & Writers‘ writer’s residency exchange. I am SO excited about learning more about this!
The 3-Day Novel Contest. This writing challenge has happened every Labor Day weekend since 1977. “Entrants pre-register, grit their teeth, lock their doors and try to produce a literary masterwork in 72 short hours. A panel of experienced judges reads the results and the winning novel is published.
To see what readers like about a genre, look at Amazon reviews about similar books.
Write a series rather than a one-off. Consider making the first book in the series Perma-free (permanently free ) on Amazon to allow readers to sample your writing and get hooked on the series.
Read Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them, by Francine Prose
Write more than you read about writing. Ah, the temptation!

…………………..

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth
avidean@videanunlimited.com

Ann Narcisian Videan: Book Shepherd/Editor/Author

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Category Archives: ALWAYS

Established authors’ secrets for creating creative book covers – ALWAYS

Fast, cheap, book postcard resource: Secret Writers’ Society (ALWAYS)

Speaking opportunities for authors made easy – ALWAYS

Key book-organization tools: Secret Writers’ Society (ALWAYS)

Book plotting made easy — ALWAYS

How to become a best-selling Amazon author, and other secrets — ALWAYS

Five special tactics to reach Amazon bestseller status and build your reader platform — ALWAYS

Share your experience with author TV and radio interviews – ALWAYS

Share proven tips in our free established author roundtable — ALWAYS

Author secrets—from world-building to a writers’ residence exchange—ALWAYS

* Malinda Lo’s blog provided world-building inspiration for my comments.