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Writing Etc. – January 15, 2005

ISSN: 1545-5580

Tips, Techniques, and Resources to Transform You From An Average Freelancer to A Highly Paid Professional.

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To subscr*ibe to Writing Etc. and receive the fr*e e-book, “Power Queries,” surf here:

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Forward Writing Etc. to all your writing friends! They’ll be glad you did.

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In This Issue:

Notes from California

How to Sell 50 Books at a Book Signing by Dan Case

Recommended Resource to Jumpstart Your Writing Career

New Book Review

2005 Action Plan to Jumpstart Your Writing Career

Paying Markets

We Recommend…

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This issue is sponsored by:

While many freelance writers struggle to earn a living wage, Bob Bly has proven again and again, year after year, that it’s not only possible to earn far more, it’s possible to to transform words into a $100,000 per year freelancing business.

And he shares all his secrets within these pages. Secrets like:

• The hidden market most freelancers overlook that can boost your income to unbelievable levels
• The “quiet” magazine market that’s easy to break into and often pays very well
• How to ask for (and get) the fees you deserve
• How to use Bob’s “positioning” techniques to set you apart from your competition
• How to write a “bullet proof” book proposal
• 22 rules for successful self promotion
• Insider secrets to effectively use the Internet to reach your income goals
• How to do more... in less time

Bly goes on to list resources... books, websites, organizations and magazines... that are designed to help you succeed as a freelance writer.

Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success is an indispensable resource for the serious freelancer. Bly’s track record is impeccable. And today he’s sharing his secrets.

Buy your copy today: http://filbertpublishing.com/bob.htm

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Greetings from California!

It's Monday, 12:30. That would be 2:30 in Minnesota.

I'm standing in a room surrounded by a group of very talented writers from all corners of the world, all tapping away at their keyboards.

Loud bunch. Just a little crazy, too. Accents from every region in the US... got a few Brits and Aussies among us, too. Terribly fun.

I'm in San Francisco for Harlan Kilstein's first seminar. “Six Figure Copywriting Without A Client.”

Boy, he and Tina more than delivered. I don't believe I've ever learned so much in such a short period of time. Feels like my head's going to explode if I learn one more thing.

And let's not even mention my be-hind. Let's just say I'm standing as I type this in anticipation of a very long plane trip back to my beloved Minnesota.

I enjoy seminars. Writing is so solitary that it's good for us to get out and face this huge world every once in a while. (It was pretty cool to run into more than one Writing Etc. subscriber.)

Highly recommended. I'll be sure to let you know when I get ready to head out for another adventure. Perhaps you can join me and we can hang out together.

That's always fun.

Hey... random thought... if you want to peek into the inner life of a half-crazy writer, surf to my new blog. It's a hoot. You might even learn a thing or two about the wacky world of writing/publishing.

Here's the URL: http://writingetc.blogspot.com/

To your success,

Beth

P.S. Here’s our best seller list… be sure to pick up a copy of each of these titles. They’re awesome.

1. Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments by Beth Erickson http://filbertpublishing.com/jumpstart.htm

2. Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success: How to Make $100,000 a Year as a Freelance Writer and Have The Time of Your Life Doing It. http://filbertpublishing.com/bob.htm

3. Weekly Writes: Exercises in Creative Writing by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta http://filbertpublishing.com/Weekly.htm

(You’ll get a ton of fr** writing/freelancing tools direct from Shery at http://WeeklyWrites.com when you order this title!)

4. Writing Wide: Exercises in Creative Writing by Billie A. Williams http://filbertpublishing.com/WW.htm

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~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feature Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to Sell 50 books (and More) at a Book Signing

By Dan Case

http://writingfordollars.com

      I met Jim at the Books-a-Million in Grapevine Mills Mall in Grapevine, Texas on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. He was at a table set up by the entrance where thousands of people passed by that day. I couldn’t help but notice that nearly everyone who stopped at his table purchased one of his books, All the Way to Berlin.

      “How are book sales?” I asked.

      “Pretty good today. There’re lots of people buying my book for Christmas presents.”

      “How many do you suppose you’ll sell today?”

      “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never sold less than 50 books at a book signing.”

      50 books! I’ve never heard of an “unknown” author selling those numbers at a book signing. I decided I better get to know Jim a little better.

      James Megellas, Jim, was a 1st Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII. He fought in the mountains outside Naples then was part of the landing at Anzio. Jim’s brigade, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, nicknamed “Devils in Baggy Pants,” were so decimated by the carnage at Anzio that it did not rejoin its division until the famous “bridge too far” campaign of September 1944. At the end of the war, Jim was part of the occupation forces in Berlin.

      Jim was the most highly decorated officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts.

      Jim is now 86 years old. He started writing his book about his experiences in WWII at age 80. “Writing the book revitalized me,” commented Jim. It sure did. Jim is the youngest looking 86-year-old I’ve ever seen. Presidio Press picked up his book and before it was published, Ballentine purchased Presidio. So when the book came out, Ballentime Books with the Presidio Press imprint appeared on the title page.

      “How did you get so many sales at your first book signing?” I asked.

      Jim chuckled at that question and told me the story. His son called a local “sports talk” radio station, “The Ticket” and told them about his dad and the book. One of the talk show teams wanted to interview Jim on their show. Jim had already set up a book signing at the local Barnes and Noble Bookstore, so when he was interviewed on the air, the guys really talked up the book signing. They had such a great time with the interview that Jim was on for the whole show and after he was off the hosts continued to talk up the book signing. When Jim finally arrived at the B & N to sign books, there was a long line of people waiting on him. They sold 125 books. Jim had to start signing book plates to put in the books when they restocked.

      After that, both major newspapers in Dallas and Ft. Worth reviewed the book and Jim continued to have successful signings throughout the DFW area.

      Jim was also a lecturer at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The museum did a nice postcard with Jim’s book cover and a picture of him during the War that they sent out to their members. After the lecture, Jim sold over 150 books, ran out and had to take orders for more. He will be doing similar lectures elsewhere. On January 29th, Jim will be at the D-Day Museum in New Orleans and will sign books afterwards.

      I noticed that Jim was not shy about talking to everyone who passed his table. Each person he talked to, he attempted to establish a link between them and to the subject of his book. “Are you a veteran?” or “Is your father a veteran?” or “Do you know a veteran?” are some of the questions that start out the conversation. He would then go on to tell about his WWII book. Nearly everyone he spoke to bought the book.

      Jim showed me a letter from a company in Ontario, California. He has been invited to be a guest at 2004’s “Weekend of Heroes” (http://www.weekendofheroes.com). The company is making an action figure of Jim in his Anzio battle outfit for the event. I’m sure he’ll sell lots of books when he’s there.

      Several people came up just to shake Jim’s hand and say “Thanks” for defending our country. When I left, I not only thanked Jim for being a veteran, I thanked him for showing me how to conduct a great book signing!

(c) Copyright 2003, Dan Case

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All the Way to Berlin_ by James Megellas can be found at your local bookstore or online at Amazon Bookstore.

~~~~~~ Recommended Resource to Jumpstart Your Writing Career ~~~~~~~

Got a great idea for a book but don't want to toil endlessly looking for a publisher to to get it into the market place. On the other hand... perhaps you don't want to spend a gazillion dollars self publishing it.

Well, there's an inexpensive way to publish your own book and an utterly simple system you can use to create your own bookstore quality book for pennies on the dollar.

Read more here:

Easy Book Binding Course 

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New Book Review!

Mark Bacon’s Do It Yourself Direct Marketing. Check it out here.

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2006 Action Plan to Jumpstart Your Writing Career

Got a book out? Perhaps you're planning on writing a book.

That's great! Writing a book goes a long ways towards building your credibility as a writer.

If you've written one, look for innovative ways to market it this month.

If you haven't start writing and decide how many words you'll transfer to the page every single day.

And most importantly, enjoy the process! Writing is an adventure you'll never forget.

‘Till next time!

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Paying Markets – check ‘em out!

SHRM Online

http://www.shrm.org/hrmagazine/writers/

Across the Board

http://www.conference-board.org/publications/atb/writersGuide.cfm

Country Folk Magazine

http://www.countryfolkmag.com/writers_guidelines_3.html

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We Recommend:

Writing For Dollars! The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*- http://www.WritingForDollars.com

WRITERS FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from North America, Europe, Australia and other places. It's free, so come and try it out here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

Are your book sales in a slump? http://BethAnnErickson.com

E-Mag And Web Site Owners! Did you know that Filbert Publishing has an entire cache of articles you can use FREE. Just click the “Freebie” link to your left.

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Writing Etc.

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