Memoirs – Why We Write Them & How You Can Make Them Sell
August 3rd, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
The Literary Agent Matchmaker™
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 memoirs and why we write them.
As a new friend of mine likes to say, “It is all about me, isn’t it?”
When it comes to memoirs, the response I give to writers is…No, not exactly. It’s also about the reader.
I really enjoy working with memoir writers as a consultant. The biggest disconnect I often have to address for the writer is:
1) WHO are you writing your memoir for?
and…
2) WHY are you writing it?
Oftentimes, the answers to these two questions will also determine whether your memoir will sell.
See, as a memoir writer, you must write it for you – to document, clear, understand and process what has happened to you. A memoir by its very nature is cathartic.
If you want to do this for your own health and well-being, then go for it! I cheer you on and I applaud you for it.
If you want it to be a wildly successful book for others to invest 8 hours or so of their lives to read and benefit from yours, you may want to give it a bit more thought.
How you write your memoir and who you write it for will make a difference in whether a literary agent will want to represent your book and whether a publisher sees the value in publishing it.
Here are some guidelines to help you:
1) Memoirs that are incident-based are more interesting to most people and most industry 
professionals. Books by business people like Sir Richard Branson or even some celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy’s book, Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey to Healing Autism or your favorite musician are not about their whole entire life from the moment they took their first breath. They are about the particular part of their lives they want to highlight and share.
The focus is on their career or a particular topic or time in their lives. The book and story serves the reader in some enlightening or entertaining way and has a clear beginning, middle and end.
2) Be honest. No one wants to invest their emotions, time and money into reading a book and connecting with a story that is supposed to be true only to discover that it’s not. It’s not only disappointing for the reader, it creates a lot of disgust too. Just look at the reactions to what happened when questions were raised about Greg Mortenson’s book, Three Cups of Tea, James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces, and books from other writers that weren’t true.
3) Determine if there is something more you can offer than just your story such as insights into what you learned and how the readers might practically apply this to their own lives.
4) Decide if you want to share more than just your story. Do you intend to write more books? Books that take off from your story? A memoir is also a great start to a career or a compliment to boost your career as a speaker.
If you intend to do more with your story than just tell it, write it in a way that it can be leveraged. Think twice about your title, subtitle and chapter titles.
5) Be responsible with family members and friends, especially if you want to take your memoir to film or television. If your memoir includes anecdotes about members of your family, close friends or co-workers, or if it reveals family secrets that others may want to keep hidden from the public, think twice about making your book a memoir. You may want to discuss that you are writing the book with the folks you intend to mention to at least make them aware of it and, if plausible, gain their support.
If you intend to pitch your book to the film or television industries, keep in mind that the producers may want a release signed by each person you name in the book to avoid legal issues or delays with the film later on.
6) Invest in a great editor before you attempt to get published. Many writers make the mistake of not having their memoir reviewed by an editor prior to seeking a literary agent or publisher. Although you may want to “say it the way you say it,” if your grammar, spelling, punctuation and line of thought are off or distracting in your manuscript, no one is going to enjoy reading it.
If you value your story and your work, take the time and invest the money in a solid round of editing by a professional. This is not the area to cut corners or ask a favor from someone you know who teaches English during the school year to high school kids.
A memoir can be written in such a way that it benefits both you and the reader.
Your book can also be your hook to bigger opportunities and career growth.
The truth about memoirs is, like any bestseller, first you need to write a great book. Begin with the end in mind. Consider how your tale benefits others. Evaluate what you want to do with it and how you intend to contribute to the Greater Good with it.
Whether your story educates, enlightens or entertains the reader, when you write your story, there is no doubt you will leave a legacy for yourself, your family, and the human race.
How you choose to leave that legacy via the publishing world is entirely up to you.
If you want to be published with your memoir and have a literary agent represent you, use these simple guidelines to help you get a leg up with your book.
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Ziggy’s 40th Birthday & Lonely Planet
August 3rd, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Robert Reid, Lonely Planet’s US Travel Editor and spokesperson, and Tom Wilson, the author of the cartoon strip Ziggy, will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com.
Mr. Reid will discuss his role in the publishing process, how he finds the authors who research and write the travel guides at Lonely Planet, and he’ll share his perspective of the future of the book publishing 
industry. Mr. Wilson will talk about celebrating 40 years of Ziggy and his memoir book, Zig-Zagging: Loving Madly, Losing Badly… How Ziggy Saved My Life. He’ll also share how he got published and how he’s using his books as his hook. He’ll also discuss what it’s been like to work on Ziggy with his father for 40 years. He’ll also share advice for cartoonists about today’s publishing world and for owners of a well-known entity like Ziggy who want to write and publish a memoir book.
NEW YORK, NY (August 2nd – August 8th, 2011): Robert Reid, Lo
nely Planet’s US Travel Editor and spokesperson, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about his role in the publishing process, tips for travel writing and just who writes and researches the Lonely Planet guidebooks.
He’ll also share his perspective of digital books, freelance travel writing and the future of the book publishing industry.
Tom Wilson, the author of the cartoon strip Ziggy, will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov celebrating 40 years of Ziggy and his memoir book, Zig-Zagging: Loving Madly, Losing Badly… How Ziggy Saved My Life. He’ll also share how he got published and how he’s using his books as his hook. He’ll also discuss what it’s been like to work on Ziggy with his father for 40 years. He’ll also share advice for cartoonists about today’s publishing world and for owners of a well-known entity like Ziggy who want to write and publish a memoir book.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why we write memoirs and how you can make them sell during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/oXHUqK
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.
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Kensington Publishing & Thriller Writer C.E. Lawrence
July 28th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief at Citadel Press and Executive Editor of Kensington Publishing, and thriller author and award-winning poet & playwright C.E. Lawrence, will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com.
Ms. Hamilton will discuss her role in the publishing process, how she finds the authors she publishes, and what 
constitutes a good pitch for a book. She’ll also share her perspective of the future of the book publishing industry. Ms. Lawrence will talk about her new thriller book, SILENT VICTIM, and share how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her book as her hook. She’ll also discuss her use of a pen name, how she researches her books, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice for writers who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
NEW YORK, NY (July 26th – August 1st, 2011): Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief of Citadel Press and Executive 
Editor of Kensington Publishing, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about her role in the publishing process, the types of books she publishes at Kensington, and how she finds her authors.
As a guest speaker at writers conferences and pitch sessions, Ms. Hamilton will reveal what comprises a great pitch and advice about what writers need to know about getting published. She’ll also share her perspective of digital books and the future of the book publishing industry.
Thriller writer and award-winning poet and playwright, C.E. Lawrence, will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov how and why she wrote her latest book, SILENT VICTIM. She’ll also talk about how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her books as her hook. She’ll also reveal how she does the research for her books and plot twists, why she uses a pen name, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice with writers who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why some writers use a pen name during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/qxINxd
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.
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief at Citadel Press and Executive Editor of Kensington Publishing, and thriller author and award-winning poet & playwright C.E. Lawrence, will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com.
Ms. Hamilton will discuss her role in the publishing process, how she finds the authors she publishes, and what constitutes a good pitch for a book. She’ll also share her perspective of the future of the book publishing industry. Ms. Lawrence will talk about her new thriller book, SILENT VICTIM, and share how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her book as her hook. She’ll also discuss her use of a pen name, how she researches her books, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice for writers who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
NEW YORK, NY (July 26th – August 1st, 2011): Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief of Citadel Press and Executive Editor of Kensington Publishing, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about her role in the publishing process, the types of books she publishes at Kensington, and how she finds her authors.
As a guest speaker at writers conferences and pitch sessions, Ms. Hamilton will reveal what comprises a great pitch and advice about what writers need to know about getting published. She’ll also share her perspective of digital books and the future of the book publishing industry.
Thriller writer and award-winning poet and playwright, C.E. Lawrence, will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov how and why she wrote her latest book, SILENT VICTIM. She’ll also talk about how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her books as her hook. She’ll also reveal how she does the research for her books and plot twists, why she uses a pen name, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice with wr
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Click Here to listen this interview any time after 9:00 am EST Tuesday July 26th, 2011 on the WomensRadio Network
Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief at Citadel Press and Executive Editor of Kensington Publishing, and thriller author and award-winning poet & playwright C.E. Lawrence, will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com.
Ms. Hamilton will discuss her role in the publishing process, how she finds the authors she publishes, and what constitutes a good pitch for a book. She’ll also share her perspective of the future of the book publishing industry. Ms. Lawrence will talk about her new thriller book, SILENT VICTIM, and share how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her book as her hook. She’ll also discuss her use of a pen name, how she researches her books, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice for writers who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
NEW YORK, NY (July 26th – August 1st, 2011): Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief of Citadel Press and Executive Editor of Kensington Publishing, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about her role in the publishing process, the types of books she publishes at Kensington, and how she finds her authors.
As a guest speaker at writers conferences and pitch sessions, Ms. Hamilton will reveal what comprises a great pitch and advice about what writers need to know about getting published. She’ll also share her perspective of digital books and the future of the book publishing industry.
Thriller writer and award-winning poet and playwright, C.E. Lawrence, will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov how and why she wrote her latest book, SILENT VICTIM. She’ll also talk about how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her books as her hook. She’ll also reveal how she does the research for her books and plot twists, why she uses a pen name, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice with writers who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why some writers use a pen name during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/qxINxd
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.
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Click Here to listen this interview any time after 9:00 am EST Tuesday July 26th, 2011 on the WomensRadio Network
Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief at Citadel Press and Executive Editor of Kensington Publishing, and thriller author and award-winning poet & playwright C.E. Lawrence, will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com.
Ms. Hamilton will discuss her role in the publishing process, how she finds the authors she publishes, and what constitutes a good pitch for a book. She’ll also share her perspective of the future of the book publishing industry. Ms. Lawrence will talk about her new thriller book, SILENT VICTIM, and share how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her book as her hook. She’ll also discuss her use of a pen name, how she researches her books, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice for writers who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
NEW YORK, NY (July 26th – August 1st, 2011): Michaela Hamilton, Editor In Chief of Citadel Press and Executive Editor of Kensington Publishing, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about her role in the publishing process, the types of books she publishes at Kensington, and how she finds her authors.
As a guest speaker at writers conferences and pitch sessions, Ms. Hamilton will reveal what comprises a great pitch and advice about what writers need to know about getting published. She’ll also share her perspective of digital books and the future of the book publishing industry.
Thriller writer and award-winning poet and playwright, C.E. Lawrence, will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov how and why she wrote her latest book, SILENT VICTIM. She’ll also talk about how she got published with Kensington and how she’s using her books as her hook. She’ll also reveal how she does the research for her books and plot twists, why she uses a pen name, and the distinctions between play writing and book writing. She’ll also share advice with writers who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why some writers use a pen name during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/qxINxd
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.
iters who want to write and publish a thriller book in today’s publishing world.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why some writers use a pen name during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/qxINxd
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.
Free Teleclass Series: Meet the Trainers of The Next Besteller(TM) Workshop
July 12th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, “Your Book Is Your Hook!”
Radio Show Host | Book Consultant | Literary Agent Matchmaker™ | Bestselling Author
Host of The Next Bestseller™ Workshop
http://www.thenextbestsellertv.com/event
Twitter: @urbookisurhook
Twitter2: @litmatchmaker
What kills the dream of a best-selling writing career?
Answering the question, “So, what’s your book about?”
Many authors haven’t developed the ability to talk at ease about their books, no matter where they are or with whom they are talking. Whether they meet potential readers at networking events, social events or even on an airplane or if they choose to approach any professional in the book publishing industry with their project, writers need to be prepared to talk about their books in 1 – 3 engaging, well-thought-out statements.
The Next Bestseller™ is a safe place where you can learn how to talk more concisely and effectively about your book with anyone in any situation by doing it with the guidance and individual feedback from industry professionals.
The faculty members for The Next Bestseller™ Workshops are devoted to finding and cultivating new talent. During this unique weekend experience, these experts collaborate as teachers and trainers in the workshop environment to become a dream team that addresses the writer’s dream, questions, quandaries and fears about pitching and presenting their books to others.
The faculty includes professionals who are experts in a variety of areas in the industry including:
* Dan Fauci, Founder of “The Mastery of Self-Expression” workshops offered worldwide, a film producer and a former executive at Paramount Pictures
* Katharine Sands, a literary agent at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency and the author and agent provocateur of the book, “Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent’s Eye”
* Lane Shefter Bishop, Founder and Principal of Vast Entertainment and an Emmy Award-Winning director and Hollywood producer
* Penny Sansevieri, Founder and CEO of Author Marketing Experts and best-selling author of the book, “Red Hot Internet Publicity”
* Tom Martin, a TV journalist turned publicist and the owner of Tom Martin Media
* Lauren Solomon, a trusted image advisor, the Founder of LS Image Associates, past President of the Association of Image Consultants International, media personality, author of “Image Matters! First Steps on the Journey to Your Best Self,” and an image industry trailblazer
* Jennifer S. Wilkov, host and creator of The Next Bestseller™ Workshops, is a best-selling, award-winning author, an award-winning freelance writer, an international speaker and trainer, and the Literary Agent Matchmaker™ who focuses on supporting writers with the essentials to become a bestseller: a great project, a strong platform and a well-polished pitch, presentation and hook for their book
Now you can meet them all for free this week and next week during the free teleclass series where each of these trainers will share their insights about what you need to know to answer that constant question: “So, what’s your book about?”
Join us! Here’s how:
At 8:30pm Eastern, join Jennifer S. Wilkov as she interviews one of the top trainers on The Next Bestseller™ dream team.
Dial In Information to join us for free:
Dial In Number: (213) 417-9250
Access Code: 946594#
Schedule of Interviews
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 – Dan Fauci, Founder of “The Mastery of Self-Expression” workshops
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 – Lane Shefter Bishop, Founder and Principal of Vast Entertainment
Thursday, July 14, 2011 – Katharine Sands, Literary Agent at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 – Tom Martin, Publicist at Tom Martin Media
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 – Lauren Solomon, Founder of LS Image Associates
Thursday, July 21, 2011 – Penny Sansevieri, Founder and CEO of Author Marketing Experts
Have a question for one of the trainers? Post it here on the blog and we’ll ask it during the teleclass.
** The next weekend for writers to attend The Next Bestseller™ Workshop is August 19 – 21, 2011, in New York City which will be held at the ClassWish offices located at the Hotel Pennsylvania, 401 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10001 . For additional information, dates and other locations, go to www.TheNextBestsellerTV.com/event. **
** Enjoy hearing from my training colleagues from The Next Bestseller™ Workshop this week on Pitch University. The Next Bestseller™ is a safe place where you can learn how to talk more concisely and effectively about your book with anyone in any situation by doing it with the guidance and individual feedback from industry professionals. **
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Library Journal & #1 International Bestseller Karin Slaughter
July 5th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Heather McCormack, Book Review Editor of Library Journal, and Karin Slaughter, the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of eleven thrillers and who is spearheading SaveTheLibraries.com events around the U.S., will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com.
Ms. McCormack will discuss how book reviews support an author’s platform and why it’s important for writers to get their books out to librarians. She’ll also share her perspective of the future of libraries and the book publishing industry. Ms. Slaughter will talk about her latest book, FALLEN, and share how she originally got published with her first book. She’ll also discuss how she writes her thrillers and how she’s using her books as her hook. As the 2011 Silver Bullet Award winner during this week’s ThrillerFest Conference, she’ll also share advice for writers that she wishes she had known when she wrote her first book.
NEW YORK, NY (July 5th – July 11th, 2011): Heather McCormack, Book Review Editor of Library Journal, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about how book reviews support an author’s platform. She’ll also discuss why it’s important for writers to get their books out to librarians.
Ms. McCormack will also discuss how writers can get a book review from Library Journal and some do’s and don’ts to help them catch a book reviewer’s eye. She’ll also share her perspective of the future of libraries and the book publishing industry.
Karin Slaughter, the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of eleven thrillers and who is spearheading the SaveTheLibraries.com events around the U.S., will 
discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov how and why she wrote her latest book, FALLEN. She’ll also talk about how she first got published and how she’s using her books as her hook. Ms. Slaughter will also talk about the SaveTheLibraries.com events and how she has enrolled other authors to join her in her efforts. As this week’s 2011 Silver Bullet Award winner at the ThrillerFest Conference in New York City, she’ll also share advice she wishes she had known when she wrote her first thriller book.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why libraries need authors and why authors need libraries during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/lJEppk
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.
Ten Myths About Agents
June 9th, 2011
By Guest Blogger Jessica Faust
Literary Agent & Owner of BookEnds Literary Agency
www.bookends-inc.com
1. Not following an agent’s rules exactly will get you rejected.
Not true. Agents have a list of guidelines they’d like writers to follow when querying because it makes our lives easier and while we prefer you call us by the correct name, include the title of your book, or include your phone number, forgetting any of that will not result in an instant rejection. What will get you rejected is not exciting the agent enough about your work.
2. Agents never take risks.
Not true. Each and every submission we send out, each and every offer of representation we make is a risk. Agents take risks all the time, but educated and calculated risks. I can’t offer representation on a book I don’t understand well enough to sell, but there have been plenty of times I’ve offered on something I loved, but didn’t necessarily feel 100% confident I’d find a market for.
3. Agents blacklist authors and spread the news to other agents far and wide.
Not true. Frankly, if we’re talking or complaining about anyone it’s editors [wink]. Rarely, if ever, do we sit around together and share query horror stories.
4. Getting an agent is the hard part.
Wrong. Getting an agent is the easy part. The real hard part isn’t even finding a publisher. The hard part? Finding readers and keeping them.
5. Agents have all the power.
Really, really not true. You might think we do because when querying we frequently say no, but the truth is that you have all the power. Authors provide us with our product and without you we would have nothing. If you think we have all the power you should sit on our side of the desk when a call of representation is offered and the author is talking with other agents. Now who has the power?
6. If you get your own deal, you don’t need an agent.
I think this depends on you. A lot of people talk these days about how authors can negotiate their own contracts and certainly they can and I do believe that authors should spend more time learning about contracts, but, the question is, how comfortable are you doing that? My job is to negotiate and I’m pretty good at it. When it comes to your own career are you willing to push and fight as hard as you need to or is there a possibility the fear of angering editors might make you back off?
7. “Top Tier” Agents are always better.
This one confuses me because I never understand who this top tier is. The best agent is the one who is smart, tough, respected on all sides, honest, and works for you in a way that works for you. An agent’s “tier” doesn’t matter if the two of you can’t see eye to eye on most things.
8. With e-selfpublishing, agents will soon be extinct.
Maybe, but I doubt it. The publishing landscape is changing in new and exciting ways and rather than look at it as a time when everything is being torn down, I like to look at it as a time of new opportunity for everyone.
9. Agents won’t consider you unless you’ve been published.
Not true. In the past 9 months I’ve taken on three new authors, none are previously published.
10. An agent’s job is to do whatever the author says.
Not true. An agent’s job is to partner with the author to build a successful career and this sometimes means telling the author “no.”
Social Persona to Social Pariah at the Click of a Mouse
February 23rd, 2011
By Guest Blogger Bree Ogden, Literary Agent at Martin Literary Management
http://www.martinliterarymanagement.com
http://agentbree.wordpress.com
So you’ve landed an agent! Whew. Work’s done. Time to sit back with your Mojito and let the agent take over the reins. ::Bubble:: POP! Let’s talk reality.
True: your agent is there to get you published (hopefully). True: your agent is there to give you sound advice on your current manuscript and future works-in-progress. True: your agent is there to hold your hand when you are lost in this crazy world called publishing. False: (you knew it was coming) your agent cannot be your social persona. And unfortunately, a negative social persona can make you a publishing pariah.
As authors and potential authors, you have the world waiting to hear from you via the Internet. Twitter feeds, Facebook pages (both fan pages and personal pages), blogs, Tumblr, Web sites, even just a simple Google search could have someone reading every bit of material about you at the click of a button.
Hint: Use this to your advantage. Second hint: It’s harder than it seems. While it’s just plain common sense not to post naughty pictures of yourself on the Web, it might not be as intuitive to watch what you say. For example: Publisher X just released a book about reality television star Y, but Publisher X won’t give your “rousing book on the problem in Country Z” a second glance. So naturally you are angry and you post on Twitter: “Publisher X only cares about money and they produce total crap. I cannot believe they release this kind of trash.”
Hmmm…
Unfortunately for you, Publisher X was actually looking at your manuscript as you wrote those angry words, and you just blew it.
You might think you are invisible on the Web. If you can’t see them, they can’t see you, right? Wrong. With tools such as Google Alerts, anyone can see anything posted about them on the Internet. And it will come back to bite you. I promise.
For an agent, the client who breaches etiquette over the Internet is terrifying. They are a loose cannon and it’s hard for an agent to trust them on their own. By saying inappropriate things over Twitter/Facebook/blogs etc, they not only ruin their own reputation and chances of getting published, but they hurt their agent’s reputation as well.
True story time: An editor once told me regarding Twitter, “Once, I clicked through and saw it was your standard, unpublished (but agented) author—complaining about how long it took editors to consider her manuscript and how this would be ‘unacceptable’ in any other industry and what a bunch of bums editors were. I was considering her manuscript at the time.”
This Internet business is hard work. But worth it if you play your cards right.
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – Rick Frishman Talks Book Publicity, Publishing & Author 101
February 15th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
Rick Frishman, the founder of Planned Television Arts, the Publisher of Morgan James Publishing and the creator of Author 101 University, will appear as a guest on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com. Mr. Frishman will talk about the essentials authors must have before engaging and submitting their projects to publishers, literary agents and publicists. He’ll also discuss why he co-authored his new book, his 12th entitled Show Me About Book Publishing, and how he’s using it as his hook to help others write and publish theirs.
NEW YORK, NY (February 15th – February 21st, 2011): Rick Frishman, a publishing industry veteran for more than 33 years as a publicist and the founder of Planned Television Arts, as the Publisher at Morgan James Publishing, and as the creator and host of Author 101 University for the last decade,will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about the essentials authors must have before engaging and submitting their projects to publishers, literary agents and publicists.
Mr. Frishman will discuss in detail what publicists, editors, agents and publishers like him want to see online to support the book project an author is proposing. He’ll also talk about why every writer should create a book proposal and some big mistakes writers make when approaching the industry with their books.
Rick Frishman is also the co-author of 12 books including 4 national bestsellers and he will discuss his new book scheduled to come out this Spring entitled Show Me About Book Publishing with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov. Mr. Frishman will talk about why he has chosen to have co-authors for all of his books, what to look for in a co-author and how to create a great platform as a team.
Mr. Frishman will also talk about why he created Author 101 University more than a decade ago to help authors and writers learn how to be successful with publishing books. He’ll also share advice for writers who are writing their first books and why co-authoring might be a good option for them.
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss the benefits of staying with your career in the ever-changing publishing industry during her Education Corner segment on the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/eYrMFR
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.
“Your Book Is Your Hook” Show – NY Times & USA Today Bestseller Robyn Carr & MIRA Books/Harlequin Editorial Director
February 9th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
Margaret Marbury, the Editorial Director at Harlequin who oversees MIRA Books, HQN, LUNA, Spice, and Harlequin Teen, and NY Times and USA Today bestseller Robyn Carr, will appear as guests on the Your Book Is Your Hook! Show on WomensRadio.com. Ms. Marbury will discuss her role as editorial director for MIRA Books at Harlequin and how she finds her books and authors to publish. Ms. Carr will talk about her new Virgin River Trilogy and her latest book in the series, Wild Man Creek. She will also share insights about her own humble beginnings as an author and give great tips to new writers.
NEW YORK, NY (February 8th – February 14th, 2011): Margaret Marbury, the editorial director at Harlequin who oversees MIRA Books, HQN, LUNA, Spice, and Harlequin Teen, will talk with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov about how she finds her authors and books to publish at MIRA.
Ms Marbury will also clarify what the term “mass market paperback” means and share her perspective of the future of the publishing industry. She’ll also provide great advice and insights for writers looking to get published in today’s industry.
NY Times and USA Today bestseller Robyn Carr will discuss with radio personality and host Jennifer S. Wilkov why she wrote her new Virgin River Trilogy and how she got her own start as the author of 20 novels.
Ms. Carr will also talk about her newest book in the series, Wild Man Creek. She’ll also share insights into how she actually crafts her books and plots. Plus she’ll share great tips for new writers for getting published and partnering with a terrific literary agent!
Host Jennifer S. Wilkov will discuss why writing for the genre you love can make for a great writing career during her Education Corner segment during the show.
Click Here to Listen Now: http://bit.ly/gKrbL3
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.
Free Stuff: Top 10 Ways to Learn More About How to Make Your Book Your Hook!
February 8th, 2011
By Jennifer S. Wilkov, Host of the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Show on WomensRadio
Book Business Consultant for Authors & Writers
www.yourbookisyourhook.com
Authors and writers often ask how they can receive information from me when they are not an individual client of mine. I’m happy to provide 10 ways for you to learn more about making your book your hook:
1) Free Starter Kit – Sign up for my free Starter Kit on the website at www.YourBookIsYourHook.com. You’ll receive a free 90-minute workshop recording plus the accompanying 14-page workbook to learn how to write, market & make money with your book. Authors who have listened to this workshop have benefitted tremendously. They have recreated the approach to their books and readers. Some have even gotten published as a result of putting the activities discussed into action.
2) Newsletter – Subscribe to my free monthly Newsletter. Receive tips and guidance each month for your book idea, project and platform. You’ll automatically be signed up for this when you get your free Starter Kit.
3) Listen to the “Your Book Is Your Hook!” Radio Talk Show – Each week join me on Tuesdays at 9am Eastern on the WomensRadio Network at WomensRadio.com. Not on Eastern time? That’s okay! The shows are archived each week so you can access past shows quickly and easily.
4) Read My Blog – Get tips from me & other industry experts as well as other writers and authors like you that you’ve heard on the show each week. www.YourBookIsYourHook.com/Blog
5) Like My Page on Facebook – There you can find out about upcoming appearances, training classes and special events. Facebook.com/JenniferSWilkov
6) Follow me on Twitter – Get weekly tips & insights about writing, marketing and publishing your book. Include me in your posts using @URBookIsURHook. Twitter.com/URBookIsURHook
7) First Steps to Finding the Right Literary Agent – For Literary Agent Matchmaker insights specifically, follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/litmatchmaker to keep up with daily information about literary agents, editors, publishers and more. Include me in your posts using @litmatchmaker.
8) Connect with Me on LinkedIn – Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know if you’re in the same groups I am. You can also join my Group called “Your Book Is Your Hook!” LinkedIn.com/in/JenniferWilkov
9) Subscribe to the YouTube Channel – Find out quickly who’s going to be on the show each week and other quick video tidbits by subscribing to my channel. Leave a question or comment on my video broadcasts. YouTube/user/YourBookIsYourHook
10) Prepare & Polish Up Your Approach to Using Your Book As Your Hook – For insights into why authors get rejected in the publishing industry, how to start building great hooks for your book and how you can start your journey to becoming the next bestseller, simply go to The Next Bestseller at www.thenextbestsellertv.com.
It’s my privilege and pleasure to support you with the writing, marketing and getting published activities for your book.
Whether you entertain, educate or enlighten others with it, you’ll give a great gift to humanity and leave a legacy for yourself, your family and the human race.
And that’s why…. Your Book Is Your Hook!
