Mocha Mind

So you’ve finished your novel. Now it’s time to publish it. Here are a few things to do in preparation to publish your book.

• Hire an editor; don’t edit your own work. You’ll see what should be on the page, not what is really on the page.
• Study other books in your genre to see how the interior design is set up. I don’t have time to go into interior design in this call, but will cover it in detail in my live seminar. We will also cover cover design in the live seminar.
• The main thing to remember when preparing your book for publication is the more work you do yourself, such as cover design or layout, the less money you have to spend and the more profitable your books will be.

-Gioya McRae

©2008 Mocha Mind Communications

For a work of short fiction or creative non-fiction (prose) written by a woman. Length: between 50 and 5,000 words. Thetop prize for the fourth Glass Woman Prize award is US $600 and possible (but not obligatory) online publication; two runners up prizes of $100 each and possible (but not obligatory) online publication. Subject is open, but must be of significance to women. My criterion is passion, excellence, and authenticity in the woman’s writing voice. Previously published work and simultaneous submissions are OK. Deadline September 21, 2008. NO ENTRY FEE.

For more information visit www.sigriddaughter.com

If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.

Isaac Asimov Sci-Fi Author, 1920-1992

That’s right. It’s time to step away from your computer and face the public. Book signings give the public a chance to get a little personal piece of you. They’ll be able to brag that they met the author and are more likely than ever to recommend your book to family and friends. That is, if you make a good impression.

Booksigning Basics
• Bring books, pens, snacks, change, breath mints, a seat cushion and a sign up sheet to collect mailing or email addresses.
• Bring promotional materials like bookmarks, business cards, postcards, a poster with an easel, copies of any book reviews or testimonials, and your press kit.
• Dress comfortably.
• Be friendly, not pushy.
• At a book signing you are promoting books AND yourself. Many times people will buy your book just because they like you.
• Promote your signing on the Internet, and with postcards and posters.
• Go to other book signings. Share tips and resources with the other authors. Review their promotional materials. Everything you see and hear at a book signing can be directly applied to your book signing.

-Gioya McRae

©2008 Mocha Mind Communications

Don’t miss the Retreat for Women Storytellers with Susan Danoff and Teresa Whitaker
at Cooper Hill Inn, East Dover, Vermont

In our twelfth annual storytelling retreat we wish to create a magical space for several days where we can be with other women who also care about the powerful and elusive issues that are part of our work as storytellers. We will experiment with song, movement, writing, meditation, ritual, nature, and improvisation, to deepen our story work. Our evenings will be devoted to informal sharing of stories and song. Participants must have previous experience with storytelling but need not be professional storytellers.

Date: July 31 – August 3, 2008
Fee (shared occupancy): $545. Fee (single occupancy): $670.

For more information and how to register, please visit www.susandanoff.com

“It is the function of art to renew our perception. What we are familiar with we cease to see. The writer shakes up the familiar scene, and, as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it.”

Anais Nin, French born American Author of novels and short stories, 1903-1977

Announcing the Soul Shelter First-Person Essay Award, with U.S. $2,000 in prizes and no entry fees:

* Grand Prize: $1,000 and publication online
* Second Prize: $500 and publication online
* Third Prize: $250 and publication online
* Plus Five Runner-Up Awards of $50 each

All entries must be nonfiction and 400-1,500 words in length.

Essays should tell a true story based on the author’s personal experience and relating to the Soul Shelter theme of “balancing fortune and fulfillment, or getting a living while having a life.”

We’re interested in personal, affecting, and inspiring entries more than slick writing. There are no entry fees, and there will be no future attempts to sell or market anything to entrants.

Submit your entry online by July 1, 2008. Awards will be made on or before July 31, 2008. All entries will be considered for publication with author credit at SoulShelter.com.

Interested? Please visit www.soulshelter.org

A website is an integral part of an author’s promotion. It’s the place where people can find information about your books and your background; can read your book excerpts; find out about your services and areas of expertise; and most importantly, purchase your books. A website is your online salesperson.

This is your greatest (and often your only) opportunity to make a great impression so you want to do it right. Before you build your site, you need to make some important decisions.

Below are some of the most common purposes for authors’ websites:

· To Demonstrate Your Expertise and/or Educate Your Readers – You may want editors and readers to see you as an expert in your field.

· To Promote Your Books – A website is the ultimate promotion device known to authors. A person visiting your website can see the latest information on your current or upcoming work.

· To Confirm Your Credibility as a Serious Writer – An impressive website says that you are a professional.

· To Promote Your Events – Let your readers know where they can meet you in person.

· Ensure a Global Presence – Reach more than 1 BILLION Internet users. Who knows how far you may go?

-Gioya McRae

©2008 Mocha Mind Communications

The Writer 2008 Short-Story Contest is for all you mystery wordsmiths out there!

Genre: Mystery

Prizes
$1,000, first place; $300, second place; $200, third place
The first-place entry, along with the finalist judge’s comments, will be published in The Writer magazine. All three winning entries will be posted on The Writer Web site, www.WriterMag.com.

Deadline
Postmarked by June 30, 2008.

For more information please visit www.writermag.com