Ready, Set, Go Sell Your Book In The Real World! – Writing
Ready, Set, Go Sell Your Book In The Real World!
Mary Holzrichter
We hear a lot these days about more books actually being sold outside the traditional bookstore. Think about it. When was the last time you actually took time to linger and explore the bookshelves When did you last impulsively grab a book, flip it over, read the blurbs, and finger through a few chapters Lets face it, most of us are too hurried.
So Whats The Point
If you dont take the time to browse, why expect your potential customer to do so
Try This:
Grab about five copies of your book, and head for the "Ma and Pa" stores in your hometown area. Pick a time when you know it wont be too busy. Talk to the owner or manager. Ask him if you may set up a small display on his counter. Offer him a percentage of each sale.
Get Impulsive!
Go for the impulse buyers! Havent you at one time, while waiting at a cash register, seen a small display of books on the counter Before it was your turn to get checked out, you grabbed it, became excited, and added it to your other purchases Maybe it was a novel set in your locale. People love reading tales taking place in their familiar surroundings.
They think, "Oh, Ive driven that road! I know where it is!
Wheres the next landmark Have to find out!" They feel they become a "part" of it.
Is your book set in your region Try your local gift shops, bed and breakfast inns, pharmacies, hair salon, even the little "quick stops." You get the picture.
Is the hero in your book of Italian descent Is there a lot of ethnicity Head for the specialty shops like that little corner deli. Pesto. Gnochi. Fresh-baked focaccia. Get your book on that counter!
Maybe kayaking through turbulent river rapids is a large part of your novel. Or sky diving, race car driving, hang gliding, deep sea diving. Head on out to the sporting goods stores.
Whatever, go for it. Take control.
Another Idea
Grab your books and get a booth at the local festivals taking place in and around your area. Maybe share one with an author friend. In my area, there are different festivals every weekend throughout the summer and early fall. In the winter, many craft fairs. Think "thousands of potential customers!"
What Are You Waiting For
I know youre thinking, "But I only want to write!" That may be so. Promoting is time consuming. But whats the alternative Your book just sets there and gathers dust. So ease on out of that chair, and head on out. Let people know about your book. Talk it up. Readers who love your book will add another dimension to your promotion - word-of-mouth advertising!
Start Small and Think Big
Some stores you approach may not work! Granted. But youll get the ball rolling and your mind spinning. "Where else can I sell my book" Youll find yourself eyeing every little store as a possibility, while driving your car or strolling the sidewalks of your hometown. Who knows, you may even become your hometowns next "celebrity!" Give it a try!
About The Author
Mary Holzrichter
Do you enjoy reading quality fast paced action novels Do you like to write them Either way, visit ActionTales.com . We offer some great titles for
readers and an unbeatable publishing deal for authors.
Real Friends – Kids
Real Friends
Skye Thomas
About a year ago, I was talking to a friend of mine on the telephone. He had just experienced a big success in his career and wanted to brag. We had a great time cheering and laughing over his big moment. Then as we were wrapping up our phone call, he apologized for gloating to me. I blew it off telling him, "Dont apologize! Real friends are people that you can cry with during the bad times and gloat with during the good times. Everyone else expects you to be politically correct in your behaviors." Whats the point of having friends if you cant be yourself around them
A friend is someone to cry with during the bad times. Everyone knows how great it is to have a friend during your time of need to cry on their shoulder. In reality, people dont like it if you cry on their shoulder for very long. So the sign of a real friend is that you can cry on their shoulder until youre done crying. And if youre crying too long, your friend will make you snap out of it. They help you to pull yourself back together rather than just give a superficial "There there dearie" and then going on about their lives. Youll be able to tell real quick who your real friends are during the crisis and uglier times of your life. Theyre the only ones still hanging around.
A friend is some to gloat with during the good times. Were all raised that its distasteful to brag and to come across as egotistical. The result is that most of us are afraid to say much of anything positive about ourselves. Youre allowed to celebrate a job promotion, a marriage, or the birth of a child, but its supposed to be done with class and style. A real friend is someone that you can call up and spend twenty minutes telling them what an awesome job you just did on a project at work and how you feel so incredibly proud of yourself and they are going to be happy for you. They are not going to chastise you for being arrogant. When you have some serious politics going on at work and you pull of a brilliant career move, your friend is going to cheer with you and laugh along with you as you succeed.
A friend is someone to rage with when life is really unfair. Thats not to say theyre going to help you plot your exs murder or anything like that, but when youre really ticked off and need to vent, theyll be there for you. You can safely tell your real friends just how angry you are and theyll help you find ways to dissipate the anger and to eventually let it go. Humor is a wonderful way that friends have of helping us to let go of our anger. Rather then help you plot the murder, they can throw out a few wonderfully witty comments about your ex and get you laughing again. Know matter what it is that youre upset about, your real friends will be there for you.
A friend is someone to dream with while plotting your goals. Real friends make awesome cheerleaders. They believe in you and in your ability to achieve your goals. Everyone else may be politely disinterested in what youre planning to do with your life, but your real friends will be thrilled to hear about what youre doing. Theyll help you to brainstorm ideas and will pitch in to help you make your dreams come true whenever possible.
A friend is someone to pray with for support. Weve all seen the research and the studies show that the power of prayer is magical no matter who or what it is that you think youre praying to. The studies also show that whenever two or more people get together to pray, that they power becomes increasingly strong. From my own experience I would like to point out that when you have a real friend pray with you instead of a well meaning acquaintance, that the increased power is so much greater. Yes the stranger helps, but nothing beats the power of a friends prayers.
A friend is someone that you can laugh with until you make that funny snorting sound. Only with my dearest friends have I laughed so hard that tears poured down my face. I have shared funny stories with my friends that Id never share with coworkers and such. Part of it is because with real friends there is a trust level and you know that you have similar views about whats humor and whats not. So, you can share jokes that otherwise might not be appropriate to tell the church ladies after service. Real friends laugh together.
My daughter wanted me to add this last one. A friend is someone to burp and fart with because they dont care if you are a real person. She has determined that the reason her best friend has trouble getting along with the other girls at school is because her friend doesnt realize that you cant do that sort of thing in front of people that are only polite superficial surface level friends. My daughter says that because theyre best friends its okay if one of them burps or farts in the presence of the other, but they cant do it in front of anyone else. I suppose she makes a valid point.
Im not saying you should be a completely trashy mess of bad manners and selfishness around your friends, but at least know that with real friends you can be yourself and they arent going to turn their back on you. If you have to walk on eggshells, be on your best manners, or monitor your every word and action, then youre probably not with a real friend. A real friend is one of lifes greatest blessings, dont forget to give thanks.
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrows Edge
About The Author
Skye Thomas is the CEO of Tomorrows Edge, an Internet leader in inspiring leaps of faith. She became a writer in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, soulmates, and parenting. Her books, articles, and astrological forecasts have inspired people of all ages and faiths to recommit themselves to the pursuit of happiness. To read more of her articles and to sign up to receive her free weekly newsletter, go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net. To download free previews of her books, go to www.SkyeThomas.com.
Skye@TomorrowsEdge.net
Naples and Southwest Florida Real Estate Is Hot! – Real Estate
Naples and Southwest Florida Real Estate Is Hot!
Scott Berry
There has never been a better time to Invest in Naples and Southwest Florida Real Estate!
Collier County is ranked number one, and Lee County ranked number two in the entire State of Florida in Existing home re-sales sales ending February 2004. Collier County saw a 28% gain and Lee County had an 18% gain in sales of existing homes from February 2003 to February 2004.
New home sales put Lee County number one in the United States for the 4th quarter in a row and Collier County number five. These figures are based on the number of new home permits issued per thousand people.
We are seeing incredible appreciation figures, and rental rates are at an all time high. If you purchase a home in Southwest Florida, you should realize an unparalleled appreciation, and the figures indicate that, if you choose to rent your property out when you are not here, you should easily find a tenant.
The Median sales price for the same period saw Collier County with a 42% increase $273,100 to $389,000 and Lee County with a 31% gain $130,500 to $170,000. Once again, these value increases show that real estate in Southwest Florida out paced most other forms of investment.
For Updated Sales, Investment, or Equity Growth figures, please contact The Berry Realty Group or visit our website at http://www.napleselite.com
About The Author
Scott Berry is a Seasoned Real Estate Professional In Southwest Florida, and President of The Berry Realty Group with office in Bonita Springs and Naples Florida. 800-450-0198
scott@napleselite.com