Angela Booth's Writing Blog

My new Kindle: I think I'm in love

I've been lusting after Amazon's Kindle since it first came out. Unfortunately however, since I'm in Australia, the Kindle was out of reach... sob.

Naturally, as soon as the international Kindle was announced, I placed my order. Oh, the excitement!

After less than 24 hours of experience with the Kindle, here are my impressions.

What I don't like

* Pressing a button hard to turn a page. This seems outdated. I'd rather flick a page just as in a real book. I hadn't realized how much I've been spoiled by the iPhone's touch screen;

* The dinky screen. I'm a fast reader. I can get through a 400 page book in three hours, so the little six inch screen is a worry. I feel like a hamster in a science lab, pressing buttons for more food as I keep pressing to turn pages, and if I make the print smaller, I'll need new glasses;

* The flashing as the page "turns";

* Everything on Amazon isn't available in Kindle format.

Wow... Picky, aren't I? Until I wrote these things down, I hadn't realized just how many things I didn't like...

Nevertheless, I'm still very happy with the Kindle.

Here's why.

What I do like

* BOOKS on demand. If I see a book I may like to read, I can download a sample to my Kindle, and it's waiting for me as soon as I turn it on. I had seven samples ready to load onto my Kindle before it even arrived;

* Being able to buy a book and download it within seconds: that's real instant gratification. It's very, very easy to buy books this way. (Too easy? Is there a 12-step program for Kindle addicts? :-))

* The knowledge that I'll never ever be without something great to read. That panicky feeling as my To Be Read pile of books dwindles won't ever affect me again;

* Having my own Kindle page on Amazon, with all the ebooks I've purchased, so that if a disaster happens, I can download a book again.

Got any Kindle tips you'd like to share? Please share them in the Comments. If you've purchased another brand of ebook reader, please share your likes and dislikes.

Ebooks: yes, you can make money

Yes, you can make money writing ebooks and selling them online...

I do it, and thousands of other people do it too.

I get lots of questions about HOW you do it. My answers boil down to: just start writing, and you'll figure it out as you go.

I'm not kidding when I say that that's about all there is to it. Writing is what counts. There's plenty of information around which will teach you how to do everything else, but without an ebook you've already written, you'll only confuse yourself if you try to work it all out beforehand.

Some people send me long lists of 20 or 30 questions, all of which could be answered once the ebook's written but since it isn't, please WRITE it first. Then ask. :-)

By far the top ebook questions I'm asked relate to money. Just how much can you make? Some authors on ClickBank make millions. One top-selling ebook made over two million dollars last year. So, there's lots of money in it, if you choose the right topics.

Here's a great tip. Target your audience as precisely as you can. An Ebook On Birds Made $500,000?! The Bob Dunlap Interview — Mixergy.com says:

"Many of the people I interviewed on Mixergy have told you to find a niche–target bird-lovers, for example. Bob says go one niche deeper–target humminbird-lovers. ClickBank has found that getting more precisely will help you increase sales. So, instead of selling products that help your customers get fit, for example, show them how to get tighter abs."

Will you make millions with your ebook? There's only one way to find out: write it. :-)

Want to make $500 a day WRITING... from your home office?

Info Product Maestro: Make $500 a Day with Your Information Products

Are you make as much money as you could be making? Chances are that you're not. There's no shame in this. Writers often struggle to find their own special niche.

If you love to write, then you'll love the information in my new ebook/ coaching package, Info Product Maestro: Make $500 a Day with Your Information Products.

Write what you like, when you like, and make an income you've only dreamed of.

Enjoy. :-)

Your New Ebook: Who Will Buy It?

What to avoid the biggest mistake you can make in writing and selling ebooks? I see ebook entrepreneurs making this particular error every day. They choose a topic which appeals to them, and forget everything else.

When you get an idea for an ebook, test it carefully. Just because you love an idea, or know a great deal about a topic, your product may not sell, or it may sell a few copies which are insufficient to pay you for the time and effort you've put into the project.

Here are four questions to consider.

1. Who Will Buy Your Ebook?

Whenever you get an idea, this is the first question you must ask. It's also the most important. If the topic lacks buyers, you can't make money.

Once you know who your buyers are, discover whether they're online in numbers. Some audiences just don't congregate online.

2. What Do They Want to Know?

You've got an idea, and you know there's an audience. Next, you need to find out what they want to know. Here's a tip: generally, newcomers to an are are the best audience. They want to get up to speed fast: you ebook gives them a way of doing that.

It's a matter of numbers. Whatever your topic, there are always more beginners in an area than experts.

3. What Will They Pay for?

Your prospective buyers may want to know about your topic, but they may not be prepared to pay for information. It happens, and there's no much you can do about it.

You may be wondering how you know that they're willing to pay... that's easy. If there are other ebooks in your topic (the more the merrier) you know that people pay for that kind of information.

4. How Will You Let Them Know About Your Ebook?

Finally, you need to know how you'll promote your ebook. If you can't create a promotional plan which fits into your budget before you create the ebook, save yourself the time and energy of creation.

Want to develop a six-figure writing income?

The September 2007 issue of The Writer had a great story: “Secrets Of The Six-Figure Freelancers”. The story’s wonderful because it shows you the potential of a freelance writing career; with the development of the Web and its unlimited markets, if you can write, you can make a great income as a freelance writer.

I chuckled when I read the story because many writers think a “six figure income” is hype. Either that, or they think that a great income is reserved for copywriters, or genre novelists, or other specialist writers.

The fact is that YOU can develop a six-figure writing career: you just need to know that it’s possible to earn $250,000 a year and more as a freelance writer, and then make that your goal.

And of course, you need know-how. That's what my writing ebook manuals give you. In 30 years as a freelance writer, I've learned the tricks of the writing trade, and I'd love to share those tricks with you, so many of my ebooks offer free coaching. Whatever your level of experience as a freelance writer, you can develop a fantastic career, when you know how.

Develop your writing skills today.

Books you'll love: Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall -- podcast

Are you watching The Tudors? I'm a huge fan.

I love anything from that period of English history. I'm currently reading Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, which is the story of Thomas Cromwell.

From Amazon UK's description of Wolf Hall:

'Lock Cromwell in a deep dungeon in the morning,' says Thomas More, 'and when you come back that night he'll be sitting on a plush cushion eating larks' tongues, and all the gaolers will owe him money.'

England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne, but has no heir. Cardinal Wolsey is his chief advisor, charged with securing the divorce the pope refuses to grant. Into this atmosphere of distrust and need comes Thomas Cromwell, first as Wolsey's clerk, and later his successor.

(The book will be available in the US in October.)

The book's written in the present tense, which I usually dislike, but it works in Wolf Hall.

Here's a podcast interview you'll enjoy: Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall - Henry VIII: Man and Monarch:

"New podcast: Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall We've put up a new podcast. In this 66-minute interview, author Hilary Mantel reads from and discusses her book Wolf Hall, set in the world of Henry VIII’s notorious chief minister Thomas Cromwell."

Giggle of the Day: super-learning

more animals

Ebook to Print - Easy Ways to Make More Money from Your Words

Are you selling ebooks? If so, there are easy ways to make more money from every book you write. Let's look at them.

1. Offer Your Ebook in Printed Form

Reading on the computer is uncomfortable, so offering a print version of your ebook is a no-brainer. However, when you first offer this option, it's difficult to estimate how many print books you need to keep on hand. Order too many books from a print on demand (POD) publisher, and the stacks of boxes will crowd your car out of your garage for many months.

I suggest that you go with a printer who will handle the fulfillment too. This means that once you've uploaded your files to the printer, they'll print the books on demand, and will send them out.

Give your customers an either/ or option (either the ebook or the print book), or a "both" option, with the ebook offered as an immediate download, and the print book delivered within a week or two.

2. Offer Your Ebook As an Audio File or Video on CD or DVD

When you offer a print version of your ebook, the content is exactly the same.

Offering audio or video however, usually means that you're repurposing the content. Yes, some audio books are simply readings of the print version, and you can offer this, but you can charge more if your audio and video versions include enhanced content.

Audio means that you can include interviews and updates. If you offer video you can show your buyers exactly how a process works. Some people learn more easily when they see a process demonstrated.

As with your printed version, use a company which offers fulfillment services, so that you just need to upload your files, and the company burns the optical discs, and sends them directly to your buyers.

Develop a great income writing for the Web - start by writing simple articles

I've developed "Sell Your Writing Online Now" (SYWON) to help you to start making money writing online in 24 hours or less.

Each week, for one full year, you'll receive a lesson, with an assignment which will build your Web writing income – you EARN as you learn.

SYWON is totally unique, and if you want to write for the Web, it's your ticket to success.

Blog - Turning Your Blog Into a Book

Would you like to see your blog as a published book on bookstore shelves? Perhaps you can. If your blog gets lots of readers, you could interest a publisher.

Publishers are always looking for the next exciting thing, and it may be your blog. Many blogs have transformed into books; so many that there's even a term for it: a "blook."

Read the article.

Ebooks - Powerful Ways to Sell Your Ebook Online

How do you sell as many copies as possible of your ebook? You need to use as many marketing tactics as possible. Here's how to turn your ebook into a bestseller.

It's essential that you start selling your ebook before it's written, so you can test your idea. Although many people may be interested in your ebook's topic, you can't predict whether they will pay for it without investing a little time and money in market research.

Read the article.

Write and sell self-help ebooks for a great home business

In this week's Fab Freelance Writing Ezine our feature article is "Self-help Ebooks - Inspiration and Motivation Mean Profits."

Here's an excerpt from the Editorial:

Ebooks are HOT: if you can write ebooks, not only will you find a ready supply of buyers and people who will commission you to write, but you can also create your own ebooks and sell them online.

In our feature article this week we discuss finding topics for self-help ebooks. Self-help is an incredibly popular field, and all writers can write self-help, because you can use your own experiences.

Sell Your Writing Online NOW (SYWON) subscribers are finding that focusing on self-help leads to easy sales of articles, reports and ebooks because the self-help industry is huge.

Subscribe and read the issue tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: books, ebook, freelance writing, get published, get started freelance writing

The Lazy Way to write your book

I've just published "Write a Book the Lazy Writer's Way and Profit" on my Just Write a Book Blog, and thought you might enjoy it too, if you're considering writing a book - or are stuck, in the writing process.

Here's an excerpt:

Many people want to write a book. Few people ever get around to doing it, because writing a book is a considerable commitment. In my long and colorful writing career I've written many books, so in this article, I'll share my tried and tested "Lazy Writer's Method" with you.

My method will work successfully for nonfiction, less so for fiction. So if you're writing a novel, just sit down and write it. Novels are rewritten, rather than written.

My method works because it cuts down on the time needed to write a book, and it also lets you make a little money along the way - always useful for a working writer to keep the wolf from the door.

Read the rest...

Technorati Tags: write a book

A Christmas Carol: must-read for the season

It's that time of the year: time to read A Christmas Carol again, either for your own enjoyment, or the enjoyment of deserving children you love.

Here's a treat - a 4th edition copy of A Christmas Carol (1844)  for you, if you're feeling generous. (It would make a great investment, too.)

The details: Fourth Edition.

Small 8vo. Finely bound by The Chelsea Bindery in full crimson morocco, titles and decoration to spine gilt, raised bands, single rule to boards gilt, inset with coloured onlay reproducing the frontispiece to centre of front board, twin rule to turn-ins gilt, cream plain endpapers, original covers bound in at back, all edges gilt. With colour illustrations by John Leech. A couple of very light thumb marks, a fine copy.

Very, very nice... :-)

Technorati Tags: books

Marketing your book with a blog while you write

If you're writing a book, a good time to start promoting it is NOW.

From your initial idea, to a sale to a publisher and your book's ultimate arrival in bookshops can take anywhere from one to three years - sometimes longer. Since promotion is such a huge part of book publication these days, it's wise to start your promotion as early in the writing/ publication process as you can.

If you've published, you know this. For new writers already stressed with writing their book, the idea that they need to promote their book comes as a nasty shock.

Starting and writing a blog while you write the book makes sense. Feedback from readers can also improve your chances of publication. Publishers will know you're a writer who's a complete professional.

Read my "Writing Success with Blogs by Angela Booth" to get up to speed on promotional blogging.

Technorati Tags: books

Are you writing a book? Poll

I'm planning the content for the site over the next few months. Please help by taking part in the poll.

Many thanks. :-)

Currently reading: Horatio Hornblower

I'm currently working my way through all eleven Horatio Hornblower books (again) and am enjoying them thoroughly.

I don't know what it is about naval historical novels like the Patrick O'Brian series, and Julian Stockwin's Kydd books, I read one novel and then compulsively read the entire series. :-)

Stockwin's latest book is out soon, so that's another must-order.

Technorati Tags: books

Giggle of the Day: can't resist a cat post

Blooking - are you blogging your book?

Over the past few weeks I've had enquiries about the practice of book blogging, both fiction and nonfiction.

"Blooking" seems to be a trend.

Some writers write blogs which are picked up for book publication, and others blog to do market research, to see whether there's a readership for their book. By establishing a platform for a book, they're more likely to attract a publisher - or several publishers, which leads to a book auction and a six-figure advance.

Are you blogging your book?

Please share the blog's URL in the comments to this post, and tell us why you've chosen the blook road to publication.

Technorati Tags: blog your writing

Currently reading: Eat, Love, Pray

Great memoir. Funny, touching and real.

I love Elizabeth Gilbert's idea of structuring the book like a mala - 109 articles just like the 109 beads in a mala.

Although I'm only on the Italian "Pleasure" section, the first part of "Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia ", I'm already dreading finishing the book.

This one's a keeper.

P.S. I should mention I first discovered Eat, Love, Pray in Suzanne Beecher's DearReader.com. You get snippets of great books in your Inbox each day. I've been a member for years. Highly recommended.

Technorati Tags: books

From blog to book -blogging's one way to beat the slush pile

"How to Get a Six Figure Book Deal From Your Blog" by Penelope Trunk has some great tips on how get published via your blog.

Here's my tip: don't sweat book publication. Books come and go, but your blog can be forever. :-)

What's your opinion on the blog to book process? If you're blogging for publication, drop your URL into the Comments so we can all cheer you on.

Technorati Tags: blog how-to, blogs, books

It's a blog, it's a book, it's published: get published with a blog

If you're procrastinating on a book, consider a blook - a book which starts life as a blog.

"Meet blook, son of blog, on the new frontier of publishing" reports:

The trend certainly makes life easier for the author. It’s very daunting to embark on a 100,000 word novel, but much less frightening to write 500 words a day on your blog. You might even become the next Judith O’Reilly, who began blogging as Wife in the North after leaving her job as education correspondent of this very newspaper to move to Northumberland with her family. Six weeks later she had a £70,000 publishing deal.

Much the same happened to Kristin Espinasse, who began a web diary account of her struggle to learn French while living in the south of France with her French husband and children (www.french-word-a-day.typepad.com). The resulting book, Words in French Life, has been nominated for the Blookers, where it will be competing against the diary of an American machinegunner in Iraq (www.cbftw.blogspot.com) and a woman’s account of her battle to overcome infertility (www.tertia.org).

My ebook "Writing Success with Blogs by Angela Booth" helps you to get started promoting your writing with a blog - or more than one blog.

Technorati Tags: blog how-to, blogging, blogs, books

Currently reading: Labyrinth by Kate Mosse

I love historical novels, especially medieval histories. in Labyrinth the distant past touches on the present, with two stories running side by side. I've only read 100 pages, and can't wait to get back to it, it's a real page-turner.

Advice to writers from Kate Mosse

Kate Mosse has an entire section of her site devoted to advice to writers - read it, it's sound and sensible, and if you take advice like this to heart your writing will be everything you wish it to be:

3. Practice The playwright Joe Orton wrote brilliant texts full of life and colour. It seemed to come naturally from his exuberant personality. But like most people who appear to make things look easy, he actually set himself writing homework to make his descriptions more vivid.

Great advice, and a book I'm enjoying - you can't ask for more than that. :-)

Technorati Tags: books

Giggle of the Day: Getting "The Secret" to work for you

If you've read "The Secret" and still don't have the life of your dreams, read "I've Got The Secret", for gems like:

Byrne writes: "A shortcut to manifesting your desires is to see what you want as absolute fact." Although normally people who see things that aren't there are considered delusional, I went with Byrne's recommendation to "act as if you have it already." One day my husband called from work to check on various house issues, and I said, "I'm so grateful that I finally got a beautiful kitchen floor."

"Are you on something?" he asked.

Technorati Tags: books

Ebooks: how to write and sell ebooks - new blog

If you're interested in writing ebooks, visit my new blog, Top Ebook Writer. I'll be discussing how to write and sell ebooks in the coming months.

Self-publishing in the form of ebooks is the easiest way to turn your knowledge into cash. Of course, if you're looking for a print publisher for your book, selling it online as an ebook first is a great way to build an audience for your book, and find a publisher. Many ebooks have gone on to traditional publishing success.

Technorati Tags: books, get published, ebook

Write and Sell an eBook: Every Writer's Quick-Action Guide To Writing Ebooks

Write and Sell an eBook: Every Writer's Quick-Action Guide To Writing Ebooks

Join the ebook gold rush - write and sell your own ebooks, and profit from your expertise.

My new ebook, "Write and Sell an eBook: Every Writer's Quick-Action Guide To Writing Ebooks", clues you in on ebooks, and shows you how to write and sell your own ebook in two short weeks.

[tags]writing, freelance writing, self-publishing, ebooks, write ebooks, make money writing[/tags]

Technorati Tags: books, ebook, freelance writing, make money writing

Video: Writing Eragon

Great writing video - enjoy. :-)

A Christmas Carol... it's that time of year again

"A Christmas Carol" is my my favourite Charles Dickens story - it's not Christmas to me until I've read it again.

I'll join Bob Cratchit in proposing:

"A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!"

Which all the family re-echoed.

"God bless us every one!" said Tiny Tim, the last of all.

Here's the complete text of "A Christmas Carol".

Technorati Tags: books