Gene McVay's Comments

Hello, I'm Bert Martinez, I'm looking to network with success minded authors. If you would like my free report 30 Strategies for Selling More Books just fill out the form below. I look forward to networking with you and if there is anything that I can help you with please do not hesitate to contact me.

You Were Created to Succeed!

Bert Martinez
www.bertmartinez.com

As an Air Force brat, I followed my father all over the world. One of my sons is preparing to retire from the Air Force after 20 years. I guess I just have a soft spot for that branch of the military.

Vivian

Sounds good...

Get your copy of THE NAISA MAFIA: Chronicle OF The Godfather deliver to your home/bookstore by calling 1-800-431-1579.. Visit http://www.NAISAMAFIA.COM to read the scripts... Watch clip - NAISA, SECRETS KEPT'S PITCH, RELENTLESS PURSUIT, THE EXCHANGE @ google video. Join me at http://www.myspace.com/naisamafia , http://chauvantruong.blogspot.com/ , http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/ChauVanTruong ..
Fans can also read at http://www.novelmaker.com/ …. SECRETS KEPT script .. http://novelmaker.com/readCommentRate.php?m=295&s=0a13623de77a7051ccaadbfbc6e8e7cc , A KILLING STAR script.. http://novelmaker.com/readCommentRate.php?m=297&s=0a13623de77a7051ccaadbfbc6e8e7cc , THE NAISA MAFIA - 8 chapters.. http://novelmaker.com/readCommentRate.php?m=292&s=0a13623de77a7051ccaadbfbc6e8e7cc ..

Listen to JUDYTH PIAZZA interviewed CHAU VAN TRUONG (author/filmmaker).. link at Interview on the American Perspective Radio Program or http://thesop.org/article.php?id=7224 . THE NAISA MAFIA: Chronicle OF The Godfather can also buy it at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974793507/qid=1100292074/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-4638388-1864109?v=glance&s=books on http://www.amazon.com , on the recommended list at http://www.bookwire.com , http://www.tuluc.com , and other venues. The Naisa Mafia: Chronicle of the Godfather can also be requested at your local bookstore.

To do the booksignings the way I do it, is I'm a member of Authors4Charity www.authors4charity.com and we call on small book stores, or Walmart, the shopping malls or small gift stores, or even the grocery stores which is very good for a lot of authors.

I tell them I'm a member of AFC and ask if I could set up a signing for such a night or day. If they are not familiar with AFC I tell them about us and that two or three of us would like a signing on such a day and ask if they furnish a table and chairs or should we bring our own.

Once they give us the okay on the date we ask for, we get things ready. I hate do any signings alone so I do them wiht one other person and we bring our own table cloth and things to put on the table.

It's not hard to do a signing, I just don't like to be alone and do them so feel more comfortable with someone else there.

One year they set us up beside of Santa. That's not the place to be as with all the noise of the kids yelling you can't talk to anyone wihtout yelling...so never sit right next to him....hope this helps you out....

Yes, I did a book festival that benefited a library. I think they made most of their money by charging the authors an entrance fee. The library had their own table selling old and donated books. There are also a lot of hundry people at these things -- especially author who are there for 5 or 6 hours, so you may want to consider adding food vendors or a bake sale element to it. Just a few ideas. Let me know how it turns out.

Lynn

Gene, I personally recommend looking for book festivals in your area. I've done a few. You may not sell a lot of books, but you do have the opportunity to meet other authors in person and book lovers. Entrance fees on festivals can get expensive, so I participate with a group when I can to cut my costs. I created the Burbank Self-Published Meetup Group in Southern California earlier this year as a means to network and support other self-published authors (including one with Lulu). We had 4 authors sharing a table at a book festival in Ventura last month. It was great camaraderie and we each paid 1/4 of the cost of doing it alone. Something to think about.

Lynn

Thanks. I will have to check it out more thoroughly.

Gene, is it that expensive? I'm not certain, but if I had the money I may do one later this year.

-nadia

Hi Gene,

Have you ever consider doing a virtual book tour. I've never done one myself. But, I just may consider doing one. If you are interested, you can visit this link sent to me by Dorothy.

http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/virtualbooktours.html

-Nadia

Hi Gene,

I would like to invite you to join my Ning Book Marketing network. I have been a published author for many years and love to network with others who have a passion for writing and publishing.

If you get a chance, please visit my blog to read my special feature called The Author’s Corner. This week’s featured author is Nikki Leigh. http://www.kathleengage.blogspot.com Nikki shared some excellent tips on how an author can market themselves.

Have a great day.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer and Author
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Hi Gene,

It's nice to meet you, and thanks for writing me. You asked me about book signings earlier; unfortunately, everything you've heard about book signings for unknown authors is what I've also been told. I have an article on Author Promotion about book signings. It may provide additional help. Let me know? I hope this helps!

-Nadia

I am the world's worst at promoting my books . . . There is a couple of reason for that which I won't go into just now. You asked how a fledgling author goes about setting up book signings when you are self-published. I have only had one signing and it was given to me by a friend who owns a tourist shop. Yes, you do need to buy enough of your book and try to interest a prospective book store into signing you, at least on a local level. But if you are trying for a Barnes & Noble, etc. signing they buy the books themselves, they set the price also . . . One thing, you almost always need a "return" clause in your contract with your publisher . . . I hope I have answered your questions . . .

Oh, I forgot to mention that both of my Canon Digital SLRS are 8 megapixel. There was a Canon 10 megapixel available, but I was advised by a knowledgable source that model was not a particularly good camera. The newest one I bought was an improvement on the 10 MP camera, even though only a 8 MP! So sometimes that's misleading.

Hi Gene,
Thanks so much for your nice compliments on my photographs. It is a passion of mine that seems to compete with my writing at times! I do take many photographs wherever I go, whether it's visiting family, on vacation, or my daughter cheering at football games. I always seem to be the unofficial photographer at every event, lol. But nature photography and sunsets are my absolute passion.

I have four Canon cameras: My newest is the Canon EOS 30D Digital SLR with a stabilizing lens, a Canon Rebel XT Digital SLR, a compact Canon Powershot digital that I always keep in my purse, and my original Rebel XT SLR (which sadly, I never use anymore!). At one point I considered the Nikon, which is an excellent camera... but because of the interchangeability of lenses, I opted to stick with Canon. The good news is that the prices on some of the digital SLRs are coming down, so if you are into photography it is well worth the investment. (Exception - the most recent one I bought was a major investment, but the results are amazing.)

I used to buy double prints of all my photos....not anymore! I wouldn't be able to afford that now. I load them onto the computer & pick and choose the best ones after editing with Adobe Photoshop. I don't consider myself a professional, there is always so much more to learn about the cameras and the editing programs. So treat yourself when you get that first royalty check, you'll be amazed at how much fun photography is.
~Colleen

Hi, Gene. Your question has many answers. First, book signings are slowly dying away. They're being replaced by book events. Few retailers (chain stores or independents) want to devote valuable floor space to someone signing books. Real estate within the stores is too valuable. On the other hand, if the author can present something of value that will drive attendance to the store, then the retailers are interested. For non-fiction, the examples are easy to see. If you have a book on buying foreclosed real estate and can put on a mini-seminar for potential book buyers, then the event manager at the store is interested in hosting you. Don't expect the store to do much promotion, though. If you have an event, you'll have to turn out the crowd. For fiction books, it's a bit harder to come up with a seminar topic, but not impossible. Look for hooks within your book—places, events, history, speciality, etc. If the author wrote on it, then she/he is an authority and can do a mini-seminar on it. For example, if you have a historical romance novel set in the Civil War era, then the author can talk about the Civil War, clothing or customs of the era, the history surrounding the novel, etc.

If a retail store is going to host an event, the author may be able to get the book buyer for the store to purchase a few copies. This is particularly true if the retailer is in the same city as the author. Book buyers have discretion to purchase "local" authors for the store.

You mentioned consignment. ALL books are sold on consignment if they are sold on a returnable basis. If, after a period of time, the book doesn't sell, the retailer has the right to return the book for a full refund regardless of the condition of the book. If the author sells the book on a non-returnable basis, then expect to pay a steeper discount to entice the retailer.

If you're looking to sell books at "events," you may consider looking beyond the bookstores. Think of local companies that might benefit from a mini-seminar on the book. Google, for example, has a rich tradition of inviting in authors to speak at their various offices around the country.

Gene,

If you want to see me promote my latest book--then sign up to attend my teleseminar tomorrow night: www.askterrywhalin.com It's free and even if you can't attend, sign up because you will receive the notice of the replay. I have a magazine editor who will be my guest for part of the time. I'm promoting my new ebook,
Writing for the Christian Market

I hope I've helped you,

Terry
The Writing Life

Another Lulu alumi, eh? I have three novel there, but I sure as heck can't compete with you . . . Congratulations and thank you for fighting the fight to keep America free . . .

How touching that you were able to administer the oath for your daughter. You certainly have every reason to be so proud of her. She sounds like an amazing young woman who takes after her father! Congrats to you & your wife on doing a wonderful job raising such a talented lady!

Dear Col. Gene,
Thank you for your thoughts on Lulu, the process sounds pretty easy. I also wanted to say that I like the picture of you in uniform - reminds me of my favorite picture of my Dad is in his USAF dress blues. I love it so much I am considering using it as the cover for my poetry book dedicated to him. Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Colleen