February 8, 2008 by Victor Volkman.

On Feb. 7th, 2008 Victor R. Volkman and Irene Watson spoke with Brad Grochowski of AuthorsBookshop about what it takes to sell books online. Brad has been running his own online bookstore for several years and it provides many of the same features that Amazon does: blogs, reviews, forums, PDF previews, and complete control of the product detail pages.  We talked about marketing strategies and tactics, how to use your time online effectively, quality and the market perception of independently published books, how we can emulate the success of indie music and films, and why you would choose to self-publish or work with a small press.

Brad Grochowski is a web entrepreneur and programmer, author and actor.  He is the founder of AuthorsBookshop.com, an online bookstore that specializes in selling independently published books, as well as the website RandomBookMachine.com and the soon to be launched OurLittleBaltimore.com.  His is also the author of the book The Secret Weakness of Dragons and Other Tales a Fairy Whispered In My Ear

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Posted in Self-Publishing, Childrens Books, Marketing | Print | No Comments »

August 24, 2007 by Victor Volkman.

On August 23rd, 2007 Victor R. Volkman and Irene Watson spoke with children’s book author and illustrator Lee Edward Födi. He is the creative force behind The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar and has also illustrated numerous picture books for other authors, including the Canadian national bestseller, The Chocolatier’s Apprentice. His latest book, Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, will be released in October 2007. Lee shared details with us on how illustrators work with authors, how to find an illustrator to match your story, and how a picture can motivate a story and vice-versa.

Födi is an engaging public speaker, specializing in presentations and workshops for elementary-aged children. In addition, he is a co-founder of Dream Workshop, a program in which children’s authors, artists, and performers help kids publish their very own books. Födi is very fond of his students, who have invented several nicknames for him such as “The Wizard of Words,” “Mr. Wiz,” and “Mr. Evil Wiz.” It goes without saying that the last one is his favorite.

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Posted in Childrens Books, Guests | Print | No Comments »

June 2, 2007 by Victor Volkman.

On May 31st, 2007 at 8:00PM EDT Irene Watson and Victor Volkman spoke with Patricia Terrell, the author of 8 books, including the how-to book “Take the Mystery out of Promoting Your Book” . She shared with us the innovative ways she has developed to market her books at virtually no cost including school and library lectures, civic involvement, fan newsletters, mystery-lovers reading groups, and many other strategies. Patricia also helps us grapple with the big shift from being an author to proactive promoter of your work.  Additionally, P.M. Terrell is the author of three internationally acclaimed suspense/thrillers: Ricochet, Kickback and The China Conspiracy, and four computer textbooks. More information can be obtained through the author’s web site at www.pmterrell.com or www.mysterypromotion.com Look for her latest suspense this fall- “Songbirds are Free” which is inspired by a true story!

Patricia does more than just write about crime. She is a strong supporter of The Virginia Crime Stoppers Association and its affiliated Crime Solvers, Crime Stoppers, and Crime Lines. On April 1, she was with Virginia Governor Mark Warner when he signed into legislation additional protection for citizens calling Crime Solvers and Crime Stoppers with tips. It ensures that citizens will remain anonymous and can not be called to testify in court. In August 2004, Patricia co-founded The Book ‘Em Foundation, a not for profit organization, with Officer Mark Kearney of the Waynesboro Police Department. The organization’s mission is to increase public awareness of the connection between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates, increase literacy rates, and decrease crime rates. The First Annual Book ‘Em Event was held on October 23, 2004 in Waynesboro, Virginia and attracted 52 authors. Listen to the PodCast!

Posted in Mysteries, Childrens Books, Marketing, Genres, Guests | Print | No Comments »

January 25, 2007 by Victor Volkman.

On Thursday, January 25th, 2007 at 8PM EDT we spoke with award-winning children’s book author Lila Guzman of lilaguzman.com.  She shared with us valuable tips and techniques on how to break into this popular market including: the ideal length of a book, managing the vocabulary, plot tips and twists, marketing ideas, appropriate subject matter and genres,  and historical books (a particular area of her own success).

Lila Guzman is a former language instructor who earned her PhD in Spanish literature from the University of Kentucky.  She has gone on to teach at the US Navy’s Defense Language Institute to train other teachers there.  She has collaborated with her husband, Rick Guzman, to create a groundbreaking series of historical novels for children.  It all stems from Rick’s discovery that the Spanish were involved in the American Revolution as early as 1776 but their contribution is often overlooked in history books.  And so the award-winning Lorenzo Series of books was born!

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Posted in Historical Books, Childrens Books, Guests | Print | 1 Comment »

December 16, 2006 by Victor Volkman.

Join us on Internet Voices Radio on Thursday, Dec. 21st, 2006 at 8PM EDT as we speak with author, editory, and book coach Joan Neubauer of WordWright.biz  Joan will share with us the secrets of good storytelling that all fiction authors must know.  Specifically, she’ll touch on story construction–from beginning to end, narrative, characterization, dialog, and conflict.  Joan is author or co-author of more than a dozen books and brings considerable editorial experience to this week’s discussion.

Joan and her husband Steve Neubauer own and operate WordWright.biz, Inc., a publishing house in Alpine, Texas. “We’re an author incubator,” Joan says. “We want to nurture authors and help them develop into the fine writers and promoters they can become.” Joan takes her own advice and is making a name for herself, her publishing house, and her authors. WordWright has acquired a reputation as one of the finest publishing houses to showcase new authors. Since 2000, WordWright has published over one hundred fifty titles for new authors. WOW! 

Joan continues to write books, articles, and columns. She also travels extensively to promote her books and her publishing house. She is available to speak on a variety of subjects for writers groups, corporate functions, civic and service organizations, and schools.

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Posted in Childrens Books, Book Development | Print | 1 Comment »