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The Tip Sheet
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issue of : March 2006
- QUOTE OF THE MONTH
- ROAD TOURS - Don't Leave Without It
- PTA'S FREE TELESEMINARS - Publishing Industry Secrets
- AUTHOR 101 CONTEST - $20,000
- SURFIN' - A Source for Websites
- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY? - PTA's Top Recent Bookings
- TIPS FROM THE TOP - Our Monthly Advice Column
- LOOK WHAT'S COMING UP!!! - Events You Have To Know About
- UPCOMING PUBLISHING SEMINARS - BookExpo America
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of misprint."
—Mark Twain
If you've got a great quote you want to share, send it to kohand@plannedtvarts.com. Many thanks!
ROAD TOURS
Road touring an author is great when there is a reason for him or her to be in that city. For instance, if he or she is doing a seminar, an event, a trade show, a book signing, or has a connection to that city, it helps generate local media coverage. PTA suggests you utilize its resources by setting up tour dates at least six to eight weeks in advance. We can set up interviews by phone for radio in advance of the trip, as well as schedule in-studio interviews once the client is in the city. We will also seek to secure local television interviews and local print media, such as the daily newspaper, business journals or other community publications. Some of the markets that have yielded significant media coverage over the recent years are: Minneapolis, Dallas, Phoenix, D.C., St. Louis, South Florida, Denver, Seattle, and other leading cities. Of course, New York City and Los Angeles are always highly competitive but if we have a strong hook, it's possible to break through the clutter.
For more information, contact: Brian Feinblum 212-583-2718 feinblumb@plannedtvarts.com
PTA'S FREE TELESEMINARS
Upcoming Seminars
- Wednesday, March 1st from 2:00-3:00pm ET
Jeremy Katz, New York Time's Bestselling Author, will discuss "How to Make a Great Book Proposal" and "Secrets to Getting Published." - Wednesday, March 15th from 2:00-3:00pm ET
Gary Krebs, an 18-year veteran of the publishing industry and current Publishing Director of Adams Media, Inc. will discuss the ins and outs of the publishing industry.
Here's how to participate:
Call 580-474-3600, then press in the code: 222089#.
Remember, our TeleSeminars are free (excluding your call cost). If you missed our last TeleSeminars with Herb Schaffner, a Senior Editor at Harper Collins, and Jeff Meshel, a master networker, you can dial the replay line at 507-726-3837 (Press the # sign after you dial in) to replay them or go to our website at www.plannedtvarts.com to download past TeleSeminars.
AUTHOR 101 CONTEST
In conjunction with the launch of the Author 101 Series by Rick Frishman and Robyn Friedman Spizman, send in your book proposal and win a publishing contract from Adams Media — and up to $20,000 worth of book publicity from Planned Television Arts and The Spizman Agency! Register online and submit your proposal at http://www.author101.com/contest.tpl.
SURFIN'
We all love books but very few of us know the proper way to take care of them. The Tippecanoe County Library in Indiana has compiled a list of links to web resources about the care of books. There are links to dozens of websites and among the many topics are storage; repairs; how to properly shelve; dealing with water or insect damage; a glossary of book terms; etc. The links to these websites will prove invaluable to anyone who cares about books.
You really miss Howard Stern on the radio but can't commit to buying a satellite radio? Well, luckily for you, there are so many Stern fans on the internet that many of them have set up websites devoted to the daily utterances of The King of All Media. The best among these sites is Mark Mercer's marksfriggin.com, which has a complete daily rundown of the show plus a wide array of staggering features, including a ten plus year archive of what has transpired on the show.
"Oh, your great-grandfather had his name changed at Ellis Island. The family name was really Strombolini." Or so goes the family legend according to your great aunt. Over 25 million people passed through Ellis Island from 1892 - 1954. There's a good chance that one of your relatives came to this country and was received at Ellis Island. The Ellis Island website has tons of information on the immigrant experience including a searchable database of all the arrivals. For beginning genealogists interested in their family history, the Ellis Island website is a good place to start. By the way, the Ellis Island officials say that no one's name was changed by them!
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?
Here's a sampling of our latest bookings.
A Teachable Faith by Jennifer Sands (The Olive Press)
- The Hour of Power with Dr. Schuller
- Aspiring Women - Total Living Network
- Frank Pastore Show - KKLA-FM (Los Angeles - Salem Radio Network)
- Janet Parshall's America (Salem Radio Network)
- The Sun
Master Your Money Type by Jordan Goodman (Warner Books, Jan. '06)
- The Daily Buzz (nationally syndicated morning TV show)
ScreamFree Parenting by Hal Runkel (Oakmont Publishing)
- The WB National Morning Show
TIPS FROM THE TOP
A Dozen Don'ts
To get publishers to look at your nonfiction book, you need a great proposal. Unless you're a superstar, a noted celebrity or an established author who's a proven commodity, book proposals are the litmus test for agents and publishers. They're the rite of passage that you must endure in order to enter the hallowed literary halls. When you're writing nonfiction, the proposal must share revelations, unique premises and breakthroughs to warrant a book contract. Simple mistakes in your nonfiction book proposal can alienate agents and editors and be fatal to your book's chance of ever reaching bookstore shelves.
Avoid these 12 blunders to write a proposal that leaves editors and agents wanting more.
1. You claim your book has no competition. Rarely is this true. Yet authors regularly claim that nothing like their book has ever been published. When agents and editors hear this claim, they wince.
What's at stake: Except in rare cases, it means you haven't done your homework. Unless you understand your market and exactly which books will be competition, you won't know where your book fits into the market. As a result, it will usually be less focused and offer nothing new for the agent to get excited about.
2. You claim your book is the next blockbuster. Although it's essential for you to be enthusiastic about your book, it's equally important that you're realistic. Broadcasting overblown expectations can make it difficult for you to get an agent or editor and can send book projects off course.
What's at stake: Unrealistic writers usually won't take advice and can be difficult to work with. Many editors won't subject themselves to working with difficult authors, whom they're probably going to disappoint. It's just not worth the aggravation.
3. You say how much others liked your book. Agents and editors simply don't care what others think about a book unless they're (a) book-publishing professionals or (b) celebrities or published authors who are willing to endorse the book. Even then, their opinions don't carry much weight and will rarely influence the agent's or editor's decision.
What's at stake: Don't waste time telling them that your reading club loved your book about the life of some obscure rock 'n' roller. It won't get you anywhere, in fact, it will probably turn them off. A large part of being a literary agent or an editor revolves around taste and intuition. Most have a keen sense about books and take great pride in their understanding of the market, as well as their ability to recognize what makes a successful book. These instincts have been honed through years of experience, and agents and editors rely heavily on them.
4. You're evasive in your query. In your query letter, you simply state that your work's good and expect that alone to convince the recipient to request a proposal or manuscript. Agents and editors need more information. Save everyone time and energy by describing the work in more detail so that they can decide if they're interested.
What's at stake: Agents and editors are busy and don't have time to play guessing games with writers who are unwilling or unable to tell them about their proposed books.
5. You try to be cute instead of being direct and straightforward. In children, cuteness can be adorable. In adults, it can get irritating fast. Sprinkling cute and clever material in your work can be effective if it's not overused and is creative. The problem is that you can get hooked on your cuteness. Before long, you're concentrating so hard on being clever that you shortchange the content and quality of your words.
What's at stake: Agents and editors don't have time for cuteness. They want to know, in a few words, what your book's about and why you're the perfect person to write it.
6. You send submissions in strange formats and colors. You may love-or need-to attract attention. But you may not know when you cross the line and draw the wrong kind of attention. Attract interest in your writing by providing top-quality work.
What's at stake: Great ideas expressed in clear, well-crafted sentences speak more convincingly than outlandish colors and designs. Gain attention through your ideas and prose and don't diminish them by being flashy and inappropriate.
7. You reject professional advice. You won't listen to constructive criticism from your agents and/or editors. You're not open to reworking a proposal to make it better. Trust the people who are publishing your book. Don't sabotage your book because you think you know more than your agent and editor.
What's at stake: Although agents aren't infallible, they're professionals. Selling books is their business, and they bring a perspective to book projects that authors usually lack. Smart authors listen and are open to ideas that can enhance their books.
8. You say you'll approach celebrities or authorities for endorsements or interviews when you have no contacts. If you say, "I'll pitch Oprah Winfrey with this project," you should explain your connection to her. And you'd better actually have one.
What's at stake: Overzealous claims make editors question other promises you make in the proposal.
9. You're sloppy. You throw together a bunch of information and think your book will be sold because of the genius of your core idea. Your submission has no structure. Learn how to write a query letter and a proposal, which are authors' main marketing tools.
What's at stake: Agents and editors want to work with professional writers who've taken the time to learn precisely what they should submit and how it should be submitted. Writers who don't do their homework generally require more hand holding down the line, which busy publishing professionals don't need.
10. You're secretive. You don't disclose anything about your background or credentials. Maybe you deliberately omit this information out of fear of seeming inadequate; or perhaps you actually have excellent credentials but are overly modest.
What's at stake: To sell you and your book, your agent or editor needs to know who you are and what you've done to convince others of the value of your book.
11. You don't include a sample chapter; instead you want to sell your book idea first and then write the book.
What's at stake: Publishers need to see writing samples. Most think that you should know to submit a sample chapter or two. When you don't, it makes the publisher feel that you're lazy or deceptive.
12. You constantly tinker. Don't burn out your agent or editor by constantly resubmitting new or revised versions.
What's at stake: He could get frustrated and scrap you and your many versions. Work on your submission until you feel satisfied, then stop and leave it alone. Don't make additions, deletions, changes or revisions, unless they're specifically requested. Take your best shot-and then let your agent or editor try to sell it.
Excerpted from Author 101:Bestselling Book Proposals © by Rick Frishman and Robyn Freedman Spizman. Used with permission of Adams Media, an imprint of F+W publications, Inc.
LOOK WHAT'S COMING UP!!!
These are dates that just might relate to a Morning Drive or Satellite TV Tour topic:
| April-May 2006 | |
| This coming April-May, you'll be cleaning out your closets and beginning home renovations or decorations. If you have books -- new or backlist - on: getting organized, Feng Shui, house cleaning, home design and decoration, or home repair and improvements, now is the time to consider utilizing PTA for a Morning Drive Radio Tour, Satellite TV Tour, or one of our other pay-for-results services. |
| July 2006 | |
| June 26th - July 9th | Wimbledon (Tennis) |
| 1st - 23rd | Tour de France |
| 1st | Diana, Princess of Wales Birth Anniversary (1961) |
| 1st | First US Zoo opened (Philadelphia) (1974) |
| 1st | First Scheduled Television Broadcast (NBC) (1941) |
| 4th | Independence Day |
| 5th | The Bikini Debuted (1946) |
| 11th | Major League Baseball All Star Game |
| 23rd | Parent's Day |
| 30th | Paperback Books First Introduced (1935) |
| August 2006 | |
| August 28th - September 10th | US Open Tennis Championship |
| August 14th - 20th | PGA Championship (Golf) |
| 1st | Air Force Day |
| 1st | Jerry Garcia's Birthday (1942) |
| 3rd | Columbus sets sails for the New World (1492) |
| 4th | Coast Guard Day |
| 6th | Friendship Day |
| 9th | Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki (1945) |
| 19th | National Aviation Day |
| 26th | Women's Equality Day |
UPCOMING PUBLISHING SEMINARS
ICE ESCAPE WRITER'S CONFERENCE - MARCH 17-19, 2006 IN MESA, AZ
For three days stuffed to the max with media, publicity and marketing training, register for the ICE Escape Writer's Conference. The event will include workshops on topics including: Production, Publishing, Obtaining an Agent, as well as ten guest speakers, including Rick Frishman.
To Register: Call 480-236-4314.
AUTHOR 101 UNIVERSITY - A CRASH COURSE IN PUBLISHING SUCCESS - DC
MAY 18, 2006 (ONE DAY PRIOR TO BEA) - 8:00a.m. - 6p.m. EST
Are you curious about what publishers like Adams Media, Harper Collins, Wiley, Random House and Simon & Schuster are looking for? What is the best way to get your manuscript read when you're an unpublished author? Want to know the biggest mistakes to avoid when writing book proposals? You'll be engaged as these top pros share their expertise, reveal the inner workings of the publishing industry, and debate various approaches to common marketing and publishing challenges. Get your seat early for this can't-be-missed panel discussion. Fourteen speakers, including: Rick Frishman.
To Register: Visit www.author101university.com.
BOOKEXPO AMERICA (BEA) - MAYCH 19-21, 2006 IN WAHINGTON DC
BookExpo America (BEA) combines the largest selection of English language titles on the planet with special industry and author events and unparalleled educational content to create a dynamic environment for networking, sourcing and relationship building. The excitement of BEA fuels the passion for books and sparks new ideas for publishers, booksellers, librarians, educators, and rights professionals from around the world.
To Register: Visit www.bookexpoamerica.com.