Indie, Independent and Small Press Publishing Are So, Soooooo Different from Self-Publishing, Vanity Presses and Pay-to-Publish “Publishing”

I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a zillion times: yes, dear author-to-be (and those already published), there is a difference between self-publishing, vanity presses, pay-to-publish, a small press, and independent publishing. Don’t mix them up. Don’t get confused.

Use Wikipedia as an initial guide:

“The terms “small press”, “indie publisher”, and “independent press” are often used interchangeably, with “independent press” defined as publishers that are not part of large conglomerates or multinational corporations. Defined this way, these presses make up approximately half of the market share of the book publishing industry. Many small presses rely on specialization in genre fiction, poetry, or limited-edition books or magazines, but there are also thousands that focus on niche non-fiction markets.”

Reach Your Audience … 6 Quick Twitter Tips for You:

1. GET the Most Bang

Know when to Tweet and where the audiences are. According to RadiumOne, there are two peak times during the day to Tweet:

10AM to 12PM and 8PM through 10PM

That’s it, at least for now. If you want to see the most shares, with the highest click-through, you should be Tweeting from 12 noon to 2PM. Remember, Tweets are global, which means global times zones. These cover the basics and a broad span to optimize your visibility.

Of course, this content regulation changes based on where your audience is. Key point: Connect with your audience when they are online.

2. Mix It UP

Variety is the spice of life and so it goes with your Tweets. Yes you can self-promote, but your promos are at the bottom of the feeding chain. Don’t OD your followers. If you have a special event popping, do a “fair warning Tweet—let them know that your stream will be heavy for a few days, then get back to supply terrific info.

Social media keeps shifting.  That’s an understatement. It used to be that AMs were the best time to blast out Tweets to your Peeps and get on Facebook. Google+ is now roaring into place and timing is unknown, yet my gut tells me AMs will dominate with revisits later in the day for it.

Social media posts get lost quickly; they have a limited shelf life. Very limited. If you have something that is timely and important—your post time becomes critical.

Who Is Using What When?

What’s your time zone? Almost half the U.S. population is in the Eastern time zone … it’s critical to post within. If you are regionally based and do events/activities with one zone—focus on it.

Twitter users are spending more time between the hours of noon and 6 PM. On Twitter, most of the United States posts and reads tweets between Noon and 6:00 PM with the best time to Tweet being 5 PM and a range of one to four tweets within the hour.

 Author U continues to grow and grow. We have just received notification that we are the proud owner of an official registered trademark! The Extravaganza has only 30 seats left and six weeks to fill them! The odds are high—we will be sold out this year. All Exhibitor spots are already taken. The Author Shark Tank already has one member ready to take a swim. The Extravaganza is going to show every participant how to create the “edge” as an author; and for their book.

We have plans for many new programs and services to help our Author U® members create quality books, as well as market and sell more books. Meaning money and adding to your bank account.  In other words: achieve success as an author. Isn’t that your goal?

The hiccup is that we need some assist.  We have more ideas than people to implement them. Are you feeling creative? Would you be willing to volunteer some time to help us continue to grow?

One lucky author or author-to-be will walk away with over $6,000 in prizes this month.

Enter now for the opportunity to win 10 amazing prizes … all to ONE person: http://ow.ly/iMzSz

• Silver Success eBook Promotion from Penny Sansevieri, VALUE: $499
• Reduce the Cost of Your Next Print Run from Color House Graphics, VALUE: $1,000
• Book Covers Say a Thousand Things—You Get One that Does from Nick Zelinger, VALUE: $750
• Author U Extravaganza May 2-4, 2013 in Denver, CO from Author U, Value: $560
• Premium Conversion and Distribution form BookBaby, VALUE $249
• Every Book Needs an Editor for 10 Hours from John Maling, VALUE: $500
• Extreme FaceBook Makeover from Georgia McCabe, VALUE: $750
• Specialty Ad Placement in Premium Book Catalog form Brian Jud, VALUE: $500
• The Book Shepherd Consultation from Judith Briles, VALUE: $750
• Para Promotion program for Book Marketing and Sales from Dan Poynter, VALUE: $497 

Emotions and Intentions. They affect us all when it comes to the book.

Sharing with a publishing colleague that I’m always amazed that authors wait until the last minute to sign up for things. “Pay more later for the same thing that I could have gotten for less sooner,” is their operating model. Or, “I just can’t make up my mind what I want to do, to be.” Or, “I don’t like to, don’t want, to prioritize.” Or, “My book success really isn’t critical … at least now.”

What prompted our discussion was a recent conversation with a client who said that she wouldn’t be attending the Author U Extravaganza May 2-4, 2013 because she had another workshop that she was going to register for the same week—it was one with a business sales orientation. I had held a spot for her at the early bird rate. Well, business sales are important. But …

Author U will hold its 4^th Annual Extravaganza May 2-4 at the Renaissance Denver Hotel. With 25 author and publishing experts speaking at workshops and 30 national Exhibitors, the Author U Extravaganza attendees will feast in information to expand their marketing, social media and publishing efforts. The question is: will YOU be there?

 Do You Have the Edge? Every Author Needs One!

Over THREE amazing days, you will be working with amazing book marketing strategists, publicists, Internet gurus, mobile marketing geniuses, audio and video pioneers … all done in an intense workshop environment … Block the dates on your calendar and register now for THREE days that will turn you and your book into creating the edge that you both need. Keynotes are Guy Kawasaki (APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur), Joel Friedlander (The Book Designer)and Penny Sansevieri (Red Hot Internet Publicity).

One of the most common questions that authors ask is about the Copyright page and “What should my copyright page look like?” Good question, here’s an answer:

The Copyright Page, which follows the title page of your manuscript, is a flexible document with respect to format, but several elements must be included.  The most confusing two are the ISBN and LOCN.  Detailed instructions for sending for them are included below:                                                                                                    

• Copyright

-The copyright symbol,

          -Followed by the copyright year

          -Followed by who (the author) or what (the publisher) is      responsible for (owner of) the copyright

          -Followed by the phrase, “All Rights Reserved”

Example: © 2013 Jane Johnson.  All Rights Reserved.

• The Title
• Warning against Copying without Permission
• A Disclaimer mentioning the author(s)’ name and/or publisher’s name (if different)

Are you a procrastinator? Are you looking for the perfect phrase, word, idea? Are you stuck? Wouldn’t getting unstuck and moving forward be a fantastic goal for 2013.  Today is Make Up Your Mind Day … why not kick off 2013 the last day of 2012?

For the 2013, make a decision to go forward or eliminate vs. the one that you have practiced—to do nothing.

Moving from wannabe author to the real thing is totally possible this coming year. Moving from wannabe speaker to the real thing is totally possible this coming year. Moving from wannabe anything to the real thing is totally possible this coming year.

Is there a book in you? Most think there is. And most don’t get them out. You could have the makings of a fantastic novel, a creative young adult series, and exquisitely illustrated young children’s stories. Cookbooks, health, space, romance, intrigue, how-to or business book may be lurking in your creative closet.

Hold the salt, are you dangerous or daring in the kitchen — it’s National Cook Something Bold Day … what can you stir up?

Here’s your Top Ten Tweets for the past week —

Tweets are faster than a speeding bird … below are Author U’s Top Ten Tweets from the past week that you may have missed …
 

Success & Resources

7 Distraction-Free Writing Environments for Authors http://t.co/whCuVclJ

Ten ways to save the publishing industry-like the sixth one! http://t.co/ikN5mCv9

Writing Smarts

The No. 1 Tip of Successful Writers – http://t.co/VLnKv7Sa

Social Media and Marketing Strategies

11 Things Not To Do Before Your Book Launch http://t.co/8bYyrQwz

Johnny Depp to launch book imprint at HarperCollins. Do you appreciate his literary taste? http://t.co/denHjcHP

10 ways to syndicate online writing. Have you tried any of them? http://t.co/RsFT9hMh