“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Literary Agent Jennifer DeChiara & Bestselling Author Julia Cameron
September 27th, 2010
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
This week on the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show, Jennifer DeChiara, president and owner of the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about why authors benefit by having an agent, what agents do and what they don’t do, and the biggest mistakes authors make when approaching agents with their projects.
Ms. DeChiara will also discuss the expectations agents have of the authors they choose to work with and how authors can best work with their agents. She’ll also share her perspective of the literary agent profession and of the future of the publishing industry.
International bestselling author Julia Cameron will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov what inspired her to write her latest book, The Creative Life: True Tales of Inspiration, and how she wrote it. She’ll also discuss how she first got published and how her work as a writer of thirty books has touched the lives of so many.
Ms Cameron will also talk about how she enjoyed writing about the creative lives of others, what she means by “finding your true north” which is also on the cover of her new book, and her experience of meeting other creatives who have benefited from her work. She’ll also share her advice to authors for how to best write their books every day.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will talk about the pain of the author’s pitch during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/aVZW5N
If you have questions about any of these interviews or the education corner topic included in the show, please put them here in this discussion thread and I’d be happy to answer them.
“Engaging A Literary Agent: Do’s and Don’ts”
September 27th, 2010
By Guest Blogger, Jennifer DeChiara
President & Owner, Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency
www.jdlit.com
Finding a literary agent may sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Yes, it’s challenging, but it’s not impossible. I’ve put together a few guidelines that should make things easier.
1. Finish Your Book.
Even though this happens quite a bit, I’m still surprised when a writer queries me about a book that they haven’t even finished yet. Especially for a writer with no, or few, credentials, how can I be sure that they will ever finish the manuscript? Writing a book isn’t easy, and many successfully published authors find it hard to complete a book, so why would I spend time on a writer, or their chapter(s), if I couldn’t be sure that there would ever be more? And manuscripts tend to change as they’re written, so the book that a writer is telling me about now, one chapter in, is likely going to be different than the finished book, if it ever is finished. So do us both a favor and finish the book.
2. Do Your Research.
Before you start to query agents, make sure that you’re querying the right ones. Don’t waste valuable time – theirs and yours – querying agents who don’t represent the kind of book you’ve written. When you do that you’re labeling yourself as a newbie, someone who doesn’t know the fundamentals of submitting work. Agents know that writers submit to many agents at the same time, but be discreet about it. Don’t email me a query with a string of other agent names; use my name, not “Dear Ms.” or, even worse, “Dear Sir.” Mention an author or book I represent and tell me why your book is similar in style. Show agents that you’re a professional, even though you may not have been published yet.
Where do you find agents to query in the first place? There are many literary guides in bookstores with listings of agents, books they’ve represented, and what they’re looking for now; there is also a lot of information on the Internet. You should also check the acknowledgments sections of books similar to yours; authors usually thank their agents, so you’ll be able to find names of agents there. Writers conferences are another great way to find agents; make a list of agents you think might be a good fit for your work, find out what conferences they attend, and sign up.
3. Follow Submission Guidelines.
Before you query an agent, find out what their submission procedures are and follow them to the letter. Most agents these days have websites, with specific guidelines for querying and submitting work, so there’s no excuse for not doing it their way. Every agent is different, with different requirements, and those can change with time, so be sure to check their policies if you haven’t submitted to them in a while.
Some universal rules, though, do apply:
a. Don’t query an agent with more than one manuscript at the same time. It’s just not in your best interest to do this; you’ll appear desperate and make us wonder why you haven’t been published.
b. Don’t query more than one agent at a time within the same agency. What if both agents want the same manuscript? For the same reason, agents won’t pitch a manuscript to different editors at the same publishing house. Besides, if an agent isn’t interested in a particular query but finds it compelling and well written, they might hand it to another agent at the same agency anyway.
c. When emailing a query, don’t send an attachment. Just type your query in the body of your email. If an agent requests your work, they’ll let you know how you should send it.
d. Don’t tell me to look at your website or click on a link in your email to read more about your work, view your bio, etc. Agents don’t have the time to do that, and we shouldn’t be asked to do it. You’re implying that your time is more valuable than ours, and that’s just not acceptable.
4. Be Respectful.
Agents are extremely busy people, so be respectful of their time. Don’t expect them to spend time on you if you’re not a client. Don’t expect them to meet with you if you happen to be traveling through their city. Don’t email them or call them to inquire about the status of a query. You can call to follow up about requested work that you’ve
submitted, but wait at least a month before you do that (or follow their guidelines on this, if they have them listed).
If you’re at a conference, be mindful of an agent’s schedule. I’m always amazed at writers who pull at my sleeve and ask to talk with me about their books when I’m rushing through a crowded room, obviously on my way somewhere. Don’t follow me into the ladies room, and don’t hand me your manuscript under a stall. (Yes, I’ve had this happen to me twice.)
5. Be Ready To Talk About Your Book.
You should always have an “elevator pitch” memorized and ready to go at a moment’s notice. An elevator pitch is simply one compelling sentence describing your manuscript; it should take no longer than the length of time it would take to get from one floor to another in an elevator, hence its name. If it’s a great pitch, the agent will say “Tell me more,” so you should also have a few more sentences memorized that will give the agent a bit more information about your book. Know exactly what you’re going to say, but when I say “memorized,” please don’t recite it as though it’s memorized.
Sometimes at conferences I’m asked to listen to pitches, and I’m always shocked at writers who will sit opposite me and read their pitch, often several paragraphs, from a notebook in front of them. I understand nervousness, but if this is a problem for you, work on it, practice in front of friends, talk in front of your mirror. A writer should be able to talk about their book. Period.
Yes, it’s difficult to find an agent, but writers are signed every day, deals are negotiated, books get published, and dreams do come true. So learn all you can about the process, do everything you can to improve your chances, and never give up. I truly believe that a great book always finds a home. Good luck, everyone.
“The Pain of Pitching Your Book”
September 27th, 2010
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
As authors and writers, we’re always learning about resources and industry tools that we can use to improve our book project performance and the enjoyment of our writing and marketing experiences. Today let’s talk about the pain of pitching and presenting your book project to agents, editors and publishers.
Writers spend a lot of time, sometimes years, creating and crafting books from the heights of their imaginations to the depths of their souls. We pour out our stories, hearts and words on page after page after page. We write and rewrite to get it exactly right and say it in the way we feel the reader will best engage in our story and message.
After so much proverbial blood, sweat and tears have been invested in writing a complete book project, only then does the journey of getting it published really begin.
Some authors cower in the face of having to actually tell someone else about their book, much less an industry decision maker. They shake in their shoes. After writing a 300 page novel or 200 page business book, they become well – at a loss for words. Others type up what they want to say so they’ll remember. Yet when they stand face to face with the agent or publisher, they pull out their “cheat sheet” and appear unpolished and unprepared to discuss their project. Others forget themselves – and that these professionals are people too – and become overly aggressive in their efforts to get their book noticed.
An author’s approach to the industry is essential to their success and unfortunately this etiquette is not something that is really taught in any particular venue or conference. Oftentimes, writers seek out agents and publishers as advertised at these events; however, in the course of talking with the experts, authors often fall short of the respectful ways of engaging an agent or publisher.
I have heard stories from agents about grown men and women crying about their discomfort and fears of presenting their book to the industry. After all, pitching for the most part is done behind closed doors. But not always. I’ve also heard stories of agents being chased down in the hallways at conferences by authors and being pitched on the ladies room line. In fact, even in Jennifer DeChiara’s interview earlier on today’s show, she admits that women have attempted to pass her manuscripts under the stall in the bathroom in between sessions.
It’s confusing, frustrating and downright disappointing for an author who has invested their time and energy and who has infused their project with love to be rejected by an industry decision maker. Unfortunately, it may not be about your project but more about your approach.
Authors find more frustration, feel more failure and misinterpret their efforts to get published as futile when what is really missing is the opportunity to learn how to present their project properly.
Even with all the books written and conferences, seminars and trainings taught, this single important and elusive facet of the publishing process can make or break an author’s success. No wonder why so many writers experience fear in the face of taking the next steps to get published. It’s no wonder why books that have been written by many remain unpublished as authors continue to seek out someone who will want to champion their book to the industry.
With such a high risk of dashed hopes and dreams riding on the evaluation of someone else’s expertise, an author with a dream of being a bestseller sometimes just gets psyched out from the whole process and is left behind along the side of the road of the publishing path to the proverbial “Emerald City” where dreams of being published do come true and wishes are fulfilled.
With so many people these days wanting to write and publish a book, it is not so much a wonder why self-publishing has become so popular. But still, whether you choose to ask a publisher or agent to take you on, there is a high price to pay for everyone involved and a great risk to take on the project you’re pitching. It is up to you as the author to present your project properly and responsibly to attract the attention you want.
This is the ultimate professional means of using your book as your hook because you can’t use your book as your hook unless you have a book. And as Jennifer DeChiara says in her excellent guest article this week on the show blog entitled “Engaging A Literary Agent – Do’s and Don’ts,” writers are signed every day. Deals are
negotiated. Books do get published and dreams do come true. Learn all you can
about the process and do everything you can to improve your chances.
For more information on this Education Corner topic and others, please refer to www.YourBookIsYourHook.com/blog for more articles and resources to help you with your books.
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Morgan James Publishing and CEO and Author Jay Myers Will Keep Swinging
September 21st, 2010
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
This week on the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show, David Hancock, Founder of Morgan James Publishing as well as a bestselling author himself, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about why he formed his company, his entrepreneurial publishing process and why his publishing model works well for so many authors.
He’ll also discuss how he finds his authors and what authors need to know to really catch a publisher’s eye. Mr. Hancock will also share his perspective on the future of the publishing industry as well as information about his upcoming Ethan Awards presentation this Fall.
Jay Myers, CEO of Interactive Solutions Inc. and the author of Keep Swinging: An Entrepreneur’s Story of Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Small Business Success, will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov why he chose to share some painful business experiences through his book, why he decided to write one and how he was able to balance writing it while heading up a busy business.
He’ll also talk about why he chose to publish with Morgan James Publishing and how he’s using his book as his hook to increase sales for his business by using it as his best business card. He’ll even reveal how the book led to more speaking engagements than he had had in the three years prior to the book being published combined along with great advice for small business owners who think they don’t need a book.
In the Education Corner, host Jennifer S. Wilkov will be talking about how to increase sales using your book as your hook.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/9nBPTN
If you have questions about any of these interviews or the education corner topic included in the show, please put them here in this discussion thread and I’d be happy to answer them.
“Close Relationship with Your Publisher: Realizing that You Are Partners”
September 21st, 2010
By Guest Blogger, David Hancock, Founder, Morgan James Publishing
www.morganjamespublishing.com
The savvy Entrepreneurial Author views a publisher as a partner, for that in essence is what they are. Each benefits from the actions of the other. Each profits from the excellence of the other.
Once you realize that your publisher is actually your partner in the process, you will want to learn more about that publisher, just as you continue learning about your own enterprise and your audience. The closer you become to the publisher, the more you will gain a “favored nation” status. Old friends do favors for old friends.
To become close to your publisher, you must develop five modes of behavior.
The Care and Feeding of Publishers
1. Stay in Contact
Let your publisher know when they’ve done something right as well as when they’ve done something wrong. Keep them up to date on your plans so that they can tailor their plans accordingly, and both of you will avoid crises.
2. Inform Your Publisher of Your Marketing Plan
Give them advance notice so that they can be prepared for an influx of orders. This also lets them know how important you are in the industry and the community so that they will treat your book with the respect it deserves.
3. Be Loyal to Your Publisher
Of course, you will always listen to competitive bids for your work, but deep down, you know that the best relationships are the old relationships, so you see it as your job to improve the publisher’s prices, quality, service, or selection with your suggestions rather than deserting them for another. Get your publisher to know your enterprise inside and out so that they develop radar for your needs.
4. Alert Your Publisher to Problems
Let your publisher know if you have a problem. Entrepreneurial Authors do not harbor grudges. Instead, they don’t hesitate to pick up the phone (or mouse) to make a call (or send an e-mail) pointing out the problem immediately. Instead of waiting and allowing resentment to build up, solve the problem for yourself and the publisher as quickly as possible. After all, you want this to be a permanent relationship, so get rid of problems as they arise, or they will come back to haunt you.
5. View You Publisher as an Ally
Entrepreneurial Authors know that their publisher might be ideal for a strategic alliance. Your publisher might go in with you on a mutual promotion, a special event, or a publicity effort. Your publisher might even invest in your company, knowing the quality that you offer and how you cherish relationships.
When you have a warm, close, trusting relationship with your publisher, you will receive these benefits:
Better prices
Better service
Availability of product when you need it
Priority treatment
Customized handling
Immediate attention
In-depth understanding of one another’s problems and opportunities
Kept promises
Complete honesty
Advance notice
These are only the surface ways in which you’ll benefit. Perhaps the peace of mind of not having to constantly scour for a new publisher will be the biggest benefit of all. And you certainly can’t underestimate the power of trust between people.
Authors who have a close relationship with publishers have their fingers on the pulse of their industries. This keen insight provides them with the competitive edge that Entrepreneurial Authors hold so dearly. Every year in the United States, nearly six hundred thousand new books are published. Authors have to seek out publishers and then establish relationships with them once they have learned that they can trust them. Only then can they begin to nurture that relationship to the point at which it can be considered close.
As an Entrepreneurial Author, you’ll have the benefit of a close publishing relationship. While your would-be competitors will be out beating the business in search of a trustworthy publisher, you’ll probably be at the ballgame with yours. You’ll be succeeding at business and having a good time—all at once. That’s the way of The Entrepreneurial Author.
David Hancock, Founder, Morgan James Publishing and co-author of The Entrepreneurial Author (Morgan James 2009)
As Founder of Morgan James Publishing, Mr. Hancock provides entrepreneurs with the vital information, inspiration and guidance they need to be successful. A division of Morgan James, LLC, Morgan James Publishing, The Entrepreneurial Publisher™, is recognized by NASDAQ as one of the world’s most prestigious businesses and is reported as being the future of publishing.
If you would like to have him review your book idea or proposal, please go visit http://publishing.morgan-james.com/get-published/
“The Best Business Card You Will Ever Have”
September 21st, 2010
By Guest Blogger, Jay B. Myers, CEO/President, Interactive Solutions Inc.
www.isitn.com
My book, Keep Swinging: An Entrepreneurs Story of Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Small Business Success (www.keepswingingbook.com) has exceeded my wildest dreams for the impact it has had on both my business and professional life. How so?
First off, I recognized early on after my book was published, that as a first time author, I simply wasn’t going to sell a million books and get a guest appearance on Oprah! Does that make writing the book and going through all the effort to get it published a waste of time? Absolutely not! Here’s why.
My book has sold about 5000 copies since 2007 so I’m certainly not giving John Grisham a run for his money but in that same period of time my company, Interactive Solutions (www.isitn.com) has grown over 50% to $16m in sales despite the worldwide economic recession. Did we grow because of the book or was it a mere coincidence? You be the judge.
ISI is in the high tech video conferencing/ audio-visual industry and sells and installs products all across the country to hospitals, schools, universities and larger corporations. Video conferencing in particular is a very competitive industry and as mid-sized company we are constantly looking for “an edge” over our competition many of whom are very large companies (Verizon, ATT etc) That’s where Keep Swinging comes in. Since 2007 my book has been used as our best business card and a competitive differentiator. Here are just a few ways we have used it in the past few years.
Customer/Partner Appreciation Tool- Every ISI client and business partner has received a copy of Keep Swinging as a token of appreciation for their investment /support for the company. We also enclose a letter explaining why the book was written (company history, adversity, values etc) and many of our clients remarked how it reinforced why they do business with ISI, want to do more etc. We also have used Keep Swinging as a premium giveaway at industry trade shows which has resulted in several new sales contracts (Federal Government) and a recent speaking engagement.
Speaking Engagements- Before Keep Swinging was written, I may have done 2-3 speaking engagements in a couple of years and all were in the local area. Since the book was published, I have booked over 40 speaking engagements all across the US telling the ISI story and giving the company priceless exposure This activity has generated several new sales prospects on a nationwide basis. Another way we have leveraged speaking engagements is using them as a recruiting tool which resulted in a recent hire for the sales team from an MBA class at the University of Mississippi.
Public Relations/Media Coverage- ISI has always done well with the local press with coverage of various awards (Small Business of the Year, INC 500 etc) but since Keep Swinging was published the company’s exposure has been truly “off the charts”. Highlights include an appearance on Fox Business News and articles in the Huffington Post and the Wall Street Journal as well as 25-30 other radio and TV interviews all across the country(Chicago, Atlanta, New York City etc) And that’s the key in using your “book as the hook” Most, if not all of those TV , newspaper and radio shows would not have booked me on their shows to talk about ISI and video conferencing (or if they did we couldn’t afford it) But they all had interest in my book and the message that it delivers. And the best part for the company? ISI received several sales inquiries as a result of these PR activities in areas we would have never been able to have access to without the book.
“Increasing Sales Using Your Book As Your Hook!”
September 21st, 2010
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
As authors and writers, we’re always learning about resources and industry tools that we can use to improve our book project performance and the enjoyment of our writing and marketing experiences. Today let’s talk about increasing sales in your business by using your book as your hook.
Does having a book really increase sales in your business? Is it worth the time and energy? I get asked these questions all the time.
In the evaluation, you may find that having a book could just be what you need as part of your next sales strategy.
Here’s how it helps you:
1) Your Credibility Brochure – Oftentimes, you have but an hour to establish your credibility when you meet with a prospective client – sometimes less. It’s challenging to find out everything you need to know from them while at the same time telling them more about you and what your company can do to support them.
Stories, sales successes and your detailed approach to how you do business are often secondary to the fact-finding and problem-solving conversation. Instead, these are either found on your website or sent in a follow-up note, if at all.
Imagine, for a moment, doing what CEO and author Jay Myers does at his company, Interactive Solutions Inc., where he sends his book, Keep Swinging: An Entrepreneur’s Story of Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Small Business Success, to new prospects and clients. In it, they learn about Jay, his approach to business and the trials and tribulations he has worked through as an entrepreneur and committed business owner.
In fact, when Jay came out with his book, he not only got more sales for his business, he also got invited to speak at events and conferences. Now that’s powerful!
2) Deepens Relationships – Books deepen the relationship you have, not only with prospects but with existing clients, vendors and strategic partners. It has the effect of sharing your stories of the highs, lows and learnings from your business with others. It builds trust through transparency.
Oftentimes in these more transactional relationships, you may not find much time to tell your latest success stories or share what you discovered in another business situation because you’re focused on delivering your service, caring for the customer and getting business done.
Even sharing your book with your colleagues can strengthen your internal business relationships by revealing your experiences and sharing them with your team.
3) Built-In Referrals – It’s easy to tell someone about a business that did a great job for you. But sometimes, in many industries, there are so many people in the same profession doing great jobs for people. Competition is fierce and you need to leverage every opportunity you have to get referred new business while making it easy for others to refer you.
Imagine if your happy clients have a copy of your book and, while referring you, they tell the person that not only are you great at what you do but you’re also an author! Now you’ve got their attention! If your client is willing to share the copy of your book they have or refer the person to look it up online and find out more about it, that’s a powerful, MEMORABLE referral.
Books create credibility instantly. They make you an expert in your field. Others perceive you this way because if you were good enough to get published, then you must know what you’re talking about. Once they see your book, read the comments and reviews about it, see an excerpt from it and understand more about you, your book is your hook to more business and greater sales.
Referrals are easier and much more fun for everyone involved – because you’re an author and stand out from the crowd of other professionals being referred.
4) It’s a Bigger Better Business Card – There’s very little surface area on your business card to put your success stories, system and approach to your business. Sometimes when you meet someone, you only have enough time to exchange cards. Instead of just following up with a phone call, what if you sent them a copy of your book? It’s a bigger better business card that says so much more than you had time to say when you met. It also engages more interest.
By signing it and including where you met such as, “It was great to meet you at the networking meeting last week,” you remind them of who you are, where you met and then tell them so much more through your book. It’s your hook to engaging them in a follow-up phone call or meeting that could lead to more sales.
There are lots of reasons to consider using your book as your hook as the key ingredient for your next successful sales strategy. In the final analysis, the time, effort and energy you invest in your book could create a great return on your investment through better referrals, bigger opportunities and an increase in your bottom line.
For more information on this Education Corner topic and others, please refer to www.YourBookIsYourHook.com/blog for more articles and resources to help you with your books.
