Bestselling Self-Published Novelist JA Konrath Talks Writing & Publishing

With more than 800,000 ebooks sold, self-published mystery, thriller & horror novelist JA Konrath is a huge writing/publishing success by anyone’s standards.

The loudest and most controversial voice in self-publishing, Konrath has had his share of detractors over the years, but for every one of his detractors, he has several hundreds of fans who respect his advice and hang on to his every word.

He’s impacted many writing careers, including my own, with his blog, “A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing, where he shares his views on the publishing industry and explains why the typical book contracts with New York publishing houses no longer make sense for most writers who hope to make a decent income from their efforts.

In this Q&A, we talk writing, publishing, and marketing and he reveals a little about the man behind the books and blog.

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How to Write a Page Turner

Have you ever stayed up hours past your bedtime to finish a book? Turned the pages so quickly you ended up with a nasty paper cut? Or called your mother at an unholy hour of the night to tell her that she must pick up a copy first thing in the morning?

Has a book ever filled you with such anticipation?

If so, why did that book make such a big impact on you? Quite possibly, it had to do with two things: engaging characters and a carefully constructed plot, both of which are crucial to the makings of a great novel.

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8 Tips for Error-Proofing Your Writing

Whether you’re interviewing for a new job, trying to woo a love interest on a first date, selling your work on the Internet, or submitting a query to an editor, you can never make a second first impression.

To sell your article, novel, product, or even yourself, you need to work on that very critical first impression–and a surefire way to make a bad impression is to present poorly edited work. All the hours of researching, outlining, and writing are squandered if the final version of your manuscript is not tightly written and error-free.

How can you possibly convince an editor, agent, or customer that you can produce a great product when there are errors in your queries, on your web site, or in your marketing materials? The answer is, you can’t.

Like you, I lose trust in what I’m reading once I’ve seen more than one error. In some cases (e.g., a web site for an editing service) even that one error is enough.

Here are 8 ways to error-proof your writing:

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How to Sell More Books In An Hour and a Half Per Day

Guest Post by Patricia Fry

Do you blog? Do you comment at other blog sites related to your topic/genre? I know all too well how difficult it is to do all of the promotion it takes in order to succeed with a book project.

It’s almost impossible to do everything you should be doing and cover all of your bases.

But it can be done. Here’s an effective strategy you might want to implement:

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Whodunnit, Howdunnit, And Whydunnit: 10 Tips For Writing Your Mystery Novel

I’ve always loved a mystery. And not just books either.

Along with my well-worn copies of mystery novels by Chandler, Block, and the Macdonalds (Ross and John D.), I also treasure my videos of old “Columbo” and “Magnum, P.I.” episodes, and I always stop to watch “Murder, She Wrote” whenever I’m on the couch, channel surfing.Though she’s around when so many murders occur I haven’t decided whether she’s the world’s best amateur detective or the world’s most cunning serial killer.

So, for my first novel, the natural choice for me was to write a mystery. Of course, starting any large piece of writing like a novel can be frightening. It can even paralyze you, as you look at the blank screen (or blank piece of paper in your Royal typewriter) and think, “I have to come up with around 70,000 or so words?!” I know that before I started my first novel, I thought that I wasn’t up to the task, that novels were something that “other,” “real” writers did.

But I eventually started. Though I don’t pretend to know all the answers (I believe a writer should never stop learning), by reading all the how-to books, reading a few hundred mystery novels, and talking to a few other mystery writers as well, I think I can help you, too. This isn’t a definitive guide, but it will certainly help you as it helped me. Little by little, the entire process begins to make sense, becomes less daunting, and, believe it or not, becomes more fun.

Tip #1: Just start the novel.

That’s the big secret. You have to actually start the book, even if you don’t know where it’s going or what’s going to happen.

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Literary Manager Ken Atchity Discusses ePublishing & What It Means for Writers

As a literary manager, Dr. Ken Atchity has launched many illustrious careers for novelists, writers of nonfiction and screenwriters.

He’s also produced 28 films and authored 14 books, including “A Writer’s Time: Making Time to Write” and “Writing Treatments That Sell.”

With credits like these and over 40 years experience in publishing, it’s safe to say that Ken knows the business.

This is precisely why I wanted to speak with him about the radical changes in the publishing environment and what it means to today’s writers.

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Win a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card by Helping to Spread the Word About “Never Smile at Strangers”!

Enter to win a $100 gift card to Amazon.com simply by clicking the “Like” button on the NEVER SMILE AT STRANGERS Facebook page AND leaving a comment on this blog post. If you’ve already “liked” the page, just let us know in your comment below–and you’ll be entered!

WANT MORE ENTRIES?

To get more (or MANY more) entries, you can do one or all of the following:

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How to Write a Book When You Have a Job, Kids, or Your Life is Otherwise Crazed

Probably the question I get asked most frequently when I do book signings is “How do you manage to write fiction when you have a full-time job?”

I’ve often thought the question should be “Why do you manage to write fiction when you have a full-time job?” Because there are moments when it seems insane to be writing a book a year while running Cosmopolitan magazine–and parenting two teenagers.

But if you’re like me—and I suspect you are since you’re reading this—you fantasized for years about writing books. From the time I was little I had a secret dream to publish a mystery series, and I just hated to think I was never going to get around to it. For financial reasons going on a sabbatical from my job as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan wasn’t an option (and besides, who would want to give up writing cover lines like “Mattress Moves So Hot His Thighs Will Burst into Flames”?), so one day I decided to take the plunge regardless of the fact that my plate was heaped pretty high.

At first I was crazed, but over time I’ve learned a handful of tricks that have made writing my books easier. I’ve also relied on a few nifty time-management strategies that I came across while writing articles on the subject back in my twenties. If there’s a book you’re dying to write, but you’re not sure how the heck you can pull it off, some of these tips may proof useful.

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5 Awesome Tips For Writing Your Mystery Or Thriller

Guest Post By Anabelle J Paisley

Are you an aspiring author who would like to know how to write a mystery novel?

Read on for 5 really great tips to get you started on your way.

1. Read all the time in your genre, but also read on a wide variety of subjects as well. Read magazines and newspapers. You’ll be really surprised at the great ideas you will get just from reading articles in the paper, especially for mystery novels. There are tons of things going on all the time that could be turned into a novel. Keep your eyes and mind open.

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Novelist Barry Eisler Launches “The Detachment” & Explains Why He Turned Down $500,000.00 In Order to Self-Publish

If you haven’t heard of bestselling thriller novelist, Barry Eisler, it’s time you have. A former CIA operative and technology lawyer, Barry is now the bestselling author of the insanely popular John Rain series of thriller novels.

His latest novel, “The Detachment,” releases in the Kindle Store today and I couldn’t be more excited.

If you love international thrillers, I’m sure you will not be disappointed.

In this Q&A, Barry discusses “The Detachment,” the writing life & the three reasons he turned down a $500,000 advance from a mainstream publisher, to self-publish.

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Thriller Novelist J.D. Rhoades Discusses His Latest Novel, Gallows Pole, and Why He Left Traditional Publishing to Go Indie

Perhaps best known for his Jack Keller novels, THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND and GOOD DAY IN HELL, North Carolina-based thriller novelist J.D. Rhoades has now struck out on his own with the much talked about title, GALLOWS POLE.

In this Q&A, mystery/thriller novelist, J.D. Rhoades discusses GALLOWS POLE, his work habits as a writer and how he arrived at the decision to join the thousands of novelists who have left traditional publishing to strike out on their own as indie novelists/publishers.

THE FIRST TIME I READ THE SYNOPSIS FOR YOUR NEW RELEASE, GALLOWS POLE, I LITERALLY GOT CHILLS! I JUST STARTED GALLOWS POLE (THE FIRST NOVEL I’M ACTUALLY READING AS AN EBOOK) AND IT HOOKED ME FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE.

Well, thank you!

PLEASE TELL READERS A LITTLE ABOUT IT.

GALLOWS POLE is about Melissa Saxon, an FBI agent investigating a particularly grisly set of murders in which fathers are somehow forced to hang their own families, then themselves.

She’s contacted by Bishop, a mysterious ex-soldier who tells her that he thinks the killer is part of his former unit, a secret anti-terrorist team called Iron Horse. Bishop’s been in prison for years as penance for some of the things he did as the commander of Iron Horse–a prison he built with his own hands and locked himself in.

Now, with one of his own running loose and killing people, he and the few surviving members of Iron Horse have to ally themselves with Saxon and her team to try and stop the killer who calls himself The Hangman.

But there are shadowy forces behind the scenes who have other ideas.

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Guest Post: Top Ten Things to Do to Make Your Signature File Sell

Guest Post by Judy Cullins

Always include a powerful signature on every email you send out, even to friends.

It’s even more important when you send out articles to opt-in ezines and top web sites in your field–more important than your article’s message.

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Guest Post: 7 Simple Steps to Book Marketing

By Ginger Marks

So, you’ve taken the plunge and written your book. Now what?

Have YOUR signs up?

It is time for editing, cover graphic and layout; then off to the printer or digital converter. If you have already done so, good for you.

If not, then those next steps are critical to the success of your book. Be sure your title, cover and layout are strong enough to effectively grab the eye of your reading public. But, if you already have your book or eBook ready for distribution what do you do next?

MARKET!

Oh, but of course. I hear you thinking perhaps even out loud, “Easy for you to say, but how do I do it?”

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Q&A with Novelist, Dave Schwinghammer

In this Q&A, former English teacher Dave Schwinghammer discusses his quirky mystery, “Soldier’s Gap.” He also explains why he decided to self-publish and describes his experience with it.

How long did it take you to write “Soldier’s Gap”?

Seems like about ten years, but I’d say it was only around five. I had three freelance editors and about a half dozen critique partners.

I lost count of the number of drafts at twenty-three.

What’s your process?

I make a scene outline for just about everything I write, including short stories. Sometimes I barely glance at it, but if I get stuck it’s always there. I change it a lot as I write.

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Guest Post: Writing Articles Sells Books

by Judy Cullins

Are you a reluctant marketer for your book? Do you avoid the social and selling aspects of self-publishing and promotion?

Discover the easy and free way to promote your book. It’s still the number one top way–writing and submitting articles to other ezines and Web sites.

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WB Weekly Update: I’m a Busy Mom–I Don’t Have Time to Write!

“You can do anything, but not everything.”
- David Allen

 

In This Issue:

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My Novel, “Never Smile at Strangers,” Is Now an Amazon Bestseller!

My novel, “Never Smile at Strangers,” hit Amazon’s Bestsellers List yesterday!

As of this writing, it’s sitting at #15 in the Suspense/Thriller category–and I couldn’t be happier. :)

Never Smile at Strangers

This is a novel that I wrote almost 8 years ago!

(That’s how long this journey took me.)

After my literary agent (Emmy-nominated television & film producer Ken Atchity) was unable to sell it to NYC, it sat on my hard drive for a few years before I decided to publish independently.

Right Next to Stephen King!!

Publishing independently (aka “self-publishing”) was a VERY difficult decision, both mentally and emotionally, because for years I hung onto the belief that I needed the validation of the traditional publishing industry… and thought that independently-published authors (of fiction) were simply writers who weren’t very talented… or persistent.

And I hoped I was at least a little of both.

But then I began interviewing huge self-publishing successes like Barry Eisler (who, btw, turned down a $500,000 advance in 2011 in order to publish independently), JA Konrath & HP Mallory… and realized that I needed to muster the courage to do it, too.

My literary agent even encouraged me. (See what he wrote about it on Amazon.) That’s how much he believed in the novel.

So what did I have to lose? All of those years of hard work were just sitting there, untouched and unread.

Wasted.

I owed it to myself. And to the story.

So I did.

Never Smile at Strangers Next to Lee Child's Novel

Never Smile at Strangers Next to Lee Child's Novel

I was scared and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew that after the many thousands of hours I’d invested in the book, I had to at least give it a shot to see how the market would respond.

And I’m SO glad I did.

The market has responded SO favorably–and I’m on cloud 9.

The validation I was searching for? I got it after all. :)

From the people who TRULY count. The readers.

 

I’ll write much more in depth about the journey in the coming weeks and months, as well as the marketing/promotion that worked (& didn’t work) for me to get it to where it is today.

Please stay tuned for updates.

Btw, if you decide to check out Never Smile at Strangers,” and like what you read, please help spread the word!

Just about everyone has at least one social media profile now–and social media is POWERFUL for a book. Especially when it comes from satisfied customers. :)

Whether it’s Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Delicious, Reddit, the list can go on… it’s POWERFUL.

And it would be greatly appreciated. :)

Remember this for your own novels.

My GoodReads Profile | My Facebook Profile | My Twitter Profile | “Never Smile at Strangers” on Facebook

“Never Smile at Strangers” on Amazon

I hope that I’m finding you happy & writing–and realizing your own writing dreams.



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Never Smile at Strangers Hits #1 on Kindle’s Best Sellers List for Free eBooks!!

It’s a free download until the evening of 2/27, so if you’re interested in downloading it, do it ASAP!!

NEVER SMILE AT STRANGERS

 

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Maximize Affiliate Programs, Google Adsense & Social Media Coverage

Over the past few weeks, I’ve identified a few important items that I need to take care of, starting with. . .

Google Adsense

A few weeks back, I wrote that most bloggers (& webmasters) don’t do very well with Google Adsense.

But. . . I might have been wrong.

Since writing this, I’ve read that some of my peers are averaging $50+ per day with it. That’s about $1500.00 per month.

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Guest Post: What’s the Best Way to Be More Productive?

We often think that the best way to become more productive is to actually spend more time doing something.

So instead of working 20 hours on a project, we increase that amount and spend 40 hours on a project.

Almost every start-up entrepreneur has a feeling of guilt gnawing on the inside when they’re working less than the standard 40 or 50 hours week.

In fact, it’s common to see most entrepreneurs work 60 to 80 hours week (or more!), with often a sense of pride that they’re working “hard.”

They should consider that a lot of that time is actually wasted, and that working “more” is never the answer.

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