(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)
“Be Prepared”
Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter
My weekly blog is like a journal. I’m sharing in real time what I’m working on with the expectation that it will be of benefit to authors who are anticipating publishing.
Some authors aren’t sure what to do prior to their final draft. Like I’ve said before, there’s an unlimited number of constructive things to work on as you prepare for your book release date. Use your time wisely. Remember, publishing doesn’t stand alone. You should be editing &/or marketing every day and that mean’s being prepared.
Here’s a look at my activity since my last post:
- Beginning to inform local law enforcement of the upcoming book.
- Received a pre-order before offering pre-orders!
- Being ready to schedule future author talks.
- Continue interacting with my writer’s group, the Kansas Authors Club.
- Invited by Amish America to write a guest blog post.
- Wrote and posted a book review of an enjoyable read.
- Online chat with Danielle Ramirez of Quiet Storm Services.
The last blog, “Being in the Moment,” included a photo of Deputy Mikel Bohringer and K-9 Tanto. It generated welcome activity, including a compliment from Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell about Bohringer and Tanto being great representatives of the department, and an at-a-boy to me for the article. It’s great to have the sheriff aware of my book because my goal is to generate local sales first and hopefully, use that as a blueprint for future sales outside the area. After all, K-9 Kudzu’s Guide to Law Enforcement could take place in Anywhere, USA.
I’ve learned to celebrate small successes. A police officer, who will remain unnamed for now, contacted me and told me he wanted five copies of K-9 Kudzu’s Guide to Law Enforcement. You may see this as barely worth celebrating, but to me, it’s a big deal. Pre-orders don’t usually happen prior to a book being completed and advertised. Currently, I don’t know the book’s dimensions, number of pages, or pricing. Pre-orders are way down the road, but it feels good to have someone interested enough to verbally commit.
Another person contacted me and inquired if I’d be interested in being a guest speaker to a law enforcement related organization, either at one of their monthly meetings or at their annual convention. This is another sign of future possibilities. I’ve learned through experience that it’s much better to promote myself at an organized event than to try and create an event from scratch. One time, I had a book signing where only three people showed up.
When I’m given the choice between being a speaker promoting my books or a salesperson sitting at a lonely vendor table, I jump at the speaking opportunity. Being a speaker gives more credibility to me and my work. It might sound conceited, but I love talking about my books; they’re like children, only they’re literary offspring.
As an author, you need to be prepared for any reasonable request. Being prepared means having support materials at your fingertips, even if it’s only a business card or a website address.
The person who told me her organization might be interested in me speaking at a meeting or convention, asked me to send her contact information, an author bio, and a synopsis of the children’s book.
After personalizing my material, I sent her the documents via email. Now, she’ll have an opportunity to examine the files and forward them to the state organization.
Saturday, the Kansas Authors Club had its monthly meeting in person and on Zoom. Author Cheryl Unruh gave an excellent presentation on writing memoir. If you’re a writer or author, I hope you’ll find a group of people who are friendly, informative, and supportive to you on your literary journey.
After the state meeting, we broke into smaller groups by district. That’s when two of our District 6 members shared their writing. Tammy read an essay from her book in progress, and Ginger read two of her new poems. Two members told me to put them on my pre-order book list. I’m up to seven books now. Wowie! Start the presses!
Have you ever heard of the website and blog, Amish America? It’s the best website about the Amish in the world and it has thousands of subscribers. The founder, Erick Wesner, invited me to be a guest blogger. He’s giving me the freedom to choose my topic, but it will probably revolve around my interaction with the Old Order Amish in the Yoder, Kansas, area. I can only imagine how the guest blog could help in marketing Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish (2022), and eventually, my unfinished sequel, Jesse Jennings Meets the Amish. Erik’s a friendly, talented, balanced, and successful influencer. Check out his blogs at https://amishamerica.com
You might think that a serious writer doesn’t have time to read. That’s wrong. To improve your writing, read and write. I recently completed an outstanding novel titled, What the River Knows (2015) by Katherine Pritchett. It’s my kind of book, a murder mystery that shows a lot of police procedure.
The following link will take you to Amazon.com so you can learn more about Pritchett’s book &/or purchase it.
Upon completing the novel, I wrote and posted a book review on Amazon and Goodreads. I wasn’t asked to do this by the author. I did it because I wanted to publicly thank her and to show support for her writing talent.
Look ahead. Someday you may want book reviews or an endorsement (a “blurb”) from your peers. Wouldn’t it be nice to already be in the habit of supporting other writers who might, in turn, help you? Why should an author take time to read and review your book if you aren’t willing to do the same? Don’t be a book review vampire who only takes. Learn to give. It’s called reciprocity.
A few days ago, I was interviewed live on a Facebook chat by Danielle Ramirez, founder of Quiet Storm Services, a hybrid publishing company. She gave me the opportunity to promote my novella, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish. I also gave writing tips to those listeners who just needed a little boost to get their writing moving forward.
I also gave advice on how to eat an elephant. (See link below.)
Until next time, happy writing,
Visit Danielle at Quiet Storm Services by clicking this link http://www.quietstormservices.com
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- Purchase one (or more) of my books directly from me at my website by clicking below. https://jimpotterauthor.com/jim-potter-author/
What I am enjoying most about your blog posts are the feeling they leave me with. You show how community is important, even to we solo writer types. And you illustrate the patience it takes to create, polish, and finish a book. This doesn’t just happen overnight!
I am inspired by your commitment to all the little steps that anticipate successful book distribution. That invitation to speak at a state conference is gold. For a book I co-edited on Tennessee women, we were invited to make a 5 minute presentation at a state conference of 600 women. We sold out of the 250 books we took there and had one city council member order copies for all the public libraries , middle schools, and high schools in Knoxville.
Your networking skills are outstanding; they are paying off big time.
Charlotte
Charlotte, thanks for your comment.
I’m always dreaming but I’m also working. Your example of selling 250 books at a state conference is amazing! The reason it worked was that you had the ideal audience and the perfect product. Your book, “Tennessee Women of Vision of Courage,” was an excellent match for that crowd of women.
I’m hoping Fraternal Order of Police lodges will purchase books to donate to children and schools. They’re much more likely to make purchases than a law enforcement agency because the latter’s funds are for fulfilling a specific mission that’s usually reactive, not proactive.
When I wrote my police memoir, “Cop in the Classroom.” I thought cops would be great customers. I was 100% wrong. One officer told me this: “Why would I want to buy your book of police stories when I have my own?” I didn’t have an answer.
Thanks again, happy writing & editing, Jim
PS – Did you really teach violin lessons to pre-school children? Sounds like torture!
Yes, I did teach violin lessons to pre-schoolers. TheSuzuki method of violin starts children young and has amazing results. One of my daughters was taking lessons from the head teacher. I was a violin player and she asked me to get instructed in the Suzuki method and teach her youngest ones. Actually, it was fun and the kids were so cute. My daughter was a quick study and at seven, she played the Bach Concerto for Two Violins (second violin part) on stage at Symphony Hall in Chicago. Now she plays trumpet in local groups in MA and accompanies her kids on piano. When she visited with our other daughter a couple of years ago, they picked up my two violins and played the Bach double for our enjoyment. Music is magic.
One daughter has a PhD in biophysics and works at a think tank in CA, the other has a masters in educational technology and is a web designer with world wide clients in MA. Both have undergrad degrees from Harvard.
Getting a group to purchase books for distribution is golden. It leads to others also stepping up. Your links into a national Amish network seems to be paying off!
WOW! No lack of brain cells in your FAMILY! How much is talent taught?
So interesting, Jim–aspects of publishing and ground work that I know nothing about! Can’t wait to read your new work.
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Thanks, Marilyn! People have no idea. A lot of folks think we just rake in the money! Oh, yeah! There’s a myth!
Their talent is probably innate, but good teachers and a stable home don’t hurt!
Yes, stability shouldn’t be overlooked. Congrats on whatever influence you and your husband gave your girls. I’ll bet it was well beyond playing musical instruments.