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Technology, the Biggest Tool for Writers |
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Written by Rhonda
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Wednesday, 02 September 2009 13:38 |
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As a writer, sometimes we have to embrace technology. That doesn't necessarily mean technology has the obligation to embrace us back. I did a post similar to this on my blog in the last week or so when something went wonky -- and believe me, when it comes to technology, something will go wonky. But now it's progressed. Hi, I'm Rhonda, and I'm a PC girl. I also use Microsoft Office products. (Hi, Rhonda). My challenge now is in finding technology for needs I didn't know I had. My current project - for both self-promotion and delving into the New Frontiers - is researching Open Source (ie. FREE) or inexpensive programs to create eBooks that can be downloaded to more than one reader. You know - that's not as easy as it seems. SHOCKER. I currently have two programs downloaded to my PC that I will play with this weekend. We'll see who wins, me or the weasel. Because let's face it - the technology is changing. I could put a story on my website. Some people would actually go there and read it. BUT, if I put it up on my website AND give people the option to put it on the eReader of their choice - Kindle, Sony, Stanza, whatever - then you have the option of reaching more people.
And, this experiment? If it doesn't kill me first (because yes, technology can and will try), it will be free on the website. It's a tool. It's a tool that can have some nice statistics to show publishers. "You know, my story 'X' had Eleventy Bajillion downloads. That's a built in fan base that would/could/ought to buy book 'Y'". And yes, 'eleventy bajillion' could happen - just ask John Scalzi and Wil Wheaton. 8-)
But you don't have to know analytics or all the technical jargon. You just have to be willing to try. When it comes to markup languages, I'm completely lost. But I'm willing to try, because I don't want to be the "problem author" who can't get with the times. I may not be completely leading edge - I still haven't figured out Podcasting at all - but for what I CAN do, I will do. Because it matters. If the whole figuring out eBooks thing works out? I'll let you know. If you hear frustrated and freaked out screaming, then you'll know the weasel won. But I'm taking on the challenge. I'm tilting my windmill. It's time to move, kicking and screaming, into the new technological frontier. Wish me luck.
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Newbie Mistake #13 - B and C and Avoiding Them |
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Written by Rhonda
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009 14:00 |
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It's a new week, and an amazing week. I've beaten my deadline with days to spare. I had a productive and entertaining time at ArmadilloCon, and don't have another "Keep it Professional" story to tell. This article actually began last week and I've been wondering how to answer it. I call it, Newbie Mistakes #13 B & C - The "It's Not Me" Mistakes - with subcategories. These are the mistakes that are more in tone and language than action. Usually committed by those who are smart enough not to slide the manuscript under the stall door in the bathroom after stalking the editor, and yet can still sabotage their own nascent careers. Last week I ran across a great video link to a Stephen J. Cannell video interview that encapsulates the "Permission to Write Crap" advice. I ended up subscribing to the RSS feed because it seems to be a decent website geared toward freelance writers - and writers in general. The website owner posted a question about whether or not any of her readers would consider self-publishing -- which is a completely different post. BUT... one of the responses addressed Newbie Mistake #13 B & C. In the first round of comments this person commits Mistake #13B - "I Can't Work in This System". The brilliant epic simply can't be boiled down to a one page query. It's a large series that must be read entirely to be completely appreciated. No agent or publisher will ever read me because they won't take the time to read the whole, brilliant thing because I'm unpublished. These are half-truths at best. Cop outs at worse. I questioned her. Why can't the epic be boiled down to one page? If you can't do it, get an impartial third person you trust to do it for you. Why not pitch it as a series? Well, I heard the first book should stand alone... and if the first part stands alone, it's boring/ordinary/a set up with no resolution. Okay, DUDE... that's no way to take over the world. I learned a very valuable lesson from a comic book writer a year or so ago. It's called A Full Unit of Entertainment. Series can be pitched by unknown writers. Series are GOOD. Series imply the author will make lots of money over a long time to the publisher. BUT...every book in a series should provide a beginning, middle, end. A set up that does nothing ... doesn't do anything for your reader either, no matter how brilliant. And if you're unpublished? There are ways to fix that... Then there was Mistake #13C - The System Is Broken. Are you kidding me? Duh. Of course the system is broken. The system was designed when cavemen first picked up a stick and berry juice. Deal with it. It's the system we have. You have to work with it if you want to play the game. Those who throw up their hands, cry "The System is Broken, therefore I'll self-publish" are those who aren't looking at the Big Picture. The outcry for a new system to be invented? Guess what? It's easier to fix/change a system from the inside. If you don't even try to play the game, how do you intend to influence the rules? Who's going to hear you or pay attention? Honestly, people, Frank Sinatra LIED TO YOU. "I Did It My Way"??? Yeah, that doesn't work. I learned this the hard way. I'm stubborn - I'm a redhead from Missouri, it's genetic. When I was young and stupid I didn't listen to those who went before. I tried to do it my way. Guess what? I got my butt handed to me by pros until I learned to play the game. If I had listened back in college, maybe I'd have the career that Scott Lynch has at 31 or Jay Lake. But I didn't, and now I'm catching up. Conventions, publishers, other writers will consider a small or independent press published author a professional LONG before a self-published author. It comes down to how badly you want it. My mentor professor in college once said, "You can have the most brilliant piece of writing ever, but if it isn't in proper format it's going straight in the trash." That's true for every form of publishing - and goes well beyond words on a page. You have to play the game by the current rules - if you want to play the game.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 August 2009 17:06 )
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Self-Promotion for Writers |
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Written by Rhonda
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Wednesday, 26 August 2009 14:16 |
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As a corollary to last week's article, I thought I would talk about Self-Promotion for Writers. This stems from the whole "Writers Have to DO Stuff" that came out last week. I was just on a panel about this at ArmadilloCon with the most awesome Elizabeth Moon. And you know if Elizabeth Moon has to do self-promotion, everyone has to do self-promotion. The biggest misconception is that it has to cost a lot of money. It doesn't matter who you're published with, there will always be more to be done. The best salesperson for a book isn't some corporate person elsewhere, it's the person who wrote it. If you're lucky to be with a Big House, you'll get help - those snazzy glossy postcards, book marks, and cover flats. Probably. If you're with a small press - or especially if you're on your own - that's all your responsibility. Now, if you're like 99.9% of all authors you don't have an advertising agency in your basement or lottery winnings to put bajillions of dollars into your marketing campaign. So, what can a poor (in every sense of the word) writer do? Lots. With little. So, how much should a writer spend on self-promotion? The quick answer is: "As much as you can reasonably afford." But you need to be honest with yourself and your budget to not get in over your head. There's a lot that can be done reasonably. - Online Promotion/Social Networks -- this can be one of the least expensive, yet most powerful tools you have. Facebook, Twitter, Live Journal -- all free. If you use them right. This is not carte blanche to make every post, every comment about your book/project/what-have-you. Be involved with people. Have something to say. Do a website. Mine is a WordPress template hosted with GoDaddy. Cheap, easy to use, easy to find. Volunteer to Guest Blog or set up arrangements for writing something on someone else's blog -- volunteering can lead to PAYING. Exposure isn't always something you die from in the Artic.
- Conventions -- cannot stress enough how important it is to go to conventions. But they can be expensive. How do you reduce those costs? Simple things. Ride Share - find others going to your conventions and ride with them. Hotel Share - do you HAVE to have your own room? Sometimes that’s a 'Yes' - know when it's time for solitude and when it's time to reduce costs. Consuite - many conventions have healthier selections now in their consuites. Even popping by for breakfast or a quick something for lunch will not only reduce costs, but gives you networking opportunities.
- Promotional/Gimme Items - These don't have to be snazzy, glossy, expensive. But you do have to weigh some options. I do a lot of gimme items myself - but I have access to a decent color laser printer. If you're doing your own, get the laser printer. Inkjets smear and flake. If you don't have friends/family that can help you design stuff, there are ways of making things cheaper. I print and make my own gimme pens with plain pens, clear return address labels, and packing tape. Some of my promotional items are cheesy, but that fits in with my growing humor niche.
- Vista Print - does inexpensive glossy business cards, printings, etc. and always has coupons
- Arts Cow - Rachel Caine swears by them - and their clearance section.
- Oriental Trading Company - you get what you pay for with them, can be hit or miss
For affordable promotional items, consider doing "non-project specific" items that promote you the writer instead of maybe your latest project -- especially if you're in a lull or your project comes out and fold at the same time. This way you don't have "dated" or "old" promotional items. By being able to use them over time, you spread out the cost. If your promotional items are also useful - like pens, notebooks, nail files, you stand a greater chance of people keeping and using them, and not recycling them when they get home. If you know of any good promotional items links, please comment and let us all know. The more we know, the better at this we can all be.
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Deadlines, Collaborations, and ArmadilloCon |
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Written by Rhonda
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Wednesday, 05 August 2009 13:48 |
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Just in case anyone was wondering, I did meet the deadline. Now I'm waiting for client revisions. That should be fun. That's when you get into the "That's what I asked for, but..." part of the freelance project. This is where I really earn the contract money. But until the revision notes come in, it's collaboration time. Yes, I've agreed to work on a short story and a novella (at least) with two different, Bigger Names Than Me, authors. Both are good, crazy fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the projects. However, I see them both in about 10 days at ArmadilloCon and need to have something to show them when I get in on Friday, August 14th, in Austin. Yes, once more, it's convention time. I hope I don't have to write more on "professionalism" when it's all over again. And I'm looking forward to this one. ArmadilloCon in Austin has been going for 31 years. It's one of the longest running SF conventions in Texas. They pull in amazing Guest of Honor - this year is Scott Lynch, Joan D. Vinge, Chris Roberson, and Scott Cupp for the writerly types. I was looking forward to meeting artist Stephan Martinere, but he had to cancel for VERY good reasons. I always learn something new at ArmadilloCon when I go - which has been the last four years or so. Why? Because there are always quality industry people who come to ArmadilloCon. It's a good "business" convention in many ways. Such as meeting up with my new writing partners, meeting and working with people I've admired for years. ArmadilloCon is...calmer...than some of my other conventions. They don't do the costuming that many others do, but they do good parties and have a killer con suite. I've had some incredible conversations with other writers, editors, and artists at ArmadilloCon - which is the point of most of these conventions. So, if you're in or anywhere near Austin, TX. Please come join us. It's informative, educational and good fun. I'm going to have a good time, won't you join me? Sa1100DZ Now Everyone is Promoting Their Work Sat 11:00 AM-Noon deZavala G. Oliver, E. Moon*, J. K. Cheney, P. Sarath, K. Frost, R. Eudaly Sa1500PC Fannish Feud Sat 3:00 PM-4:00 PM Phoenix Central R. Eudaly*, K. Antell, R. Babcock, K. Meschke, S. Leicht, T. Miller, A. Martinez, C. Roberson, S. Lynch, S. Bobo, C. J. Mills, L. Person Sa1630R Reading Sat 4:30 PM-5:00 PM Robertson Rhonda Eudaly Sa2000DZ Humor in SF/F Sat 8:00 PM-9:00 PM deZavala R. Eudaly*, A. Martinez, K. Frost, R. S. Rose, M. Fletcher Su1000DR Autographing Sun 10:00 AM-11:00 AM Dealers' Room S. Lynch, A. M. Thomas, R. Eudaly, J. Kenner, R. Klaw
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