You Can Murder Anybody You Want… In Your Fiction

Ten years ago, when I first came to Brussels, I lived in an apartment downstairs from a family of Italians who hated each other—there was no other explanation for their shouts and screams at odd hours of the day and night. The rest of the tenants were unusually quiet and there were hardly any children (at the present rate, experts predict the Belgian population will be extinct within the next hundred years), so this family really stood out. They seemed so out of place they might as well have been teleported from some other time and place—a tiny village in San Pellegrino, probably, early nineteenth century.

Moody, volatile writer that I am, not much time passed before they started getting on my nerves. The irritating sound of high heels clicking on tile floor was constant; this seemed to be the woman’s hobby. She fought and argued non-stop with her husband, who, during weekdays, came late in the evenings. Their son, a teenager with a tenor voice that could be considered gifted, loved to shout and was a valuable addition to the great symphonic effect. Besides arguing, they liked to move furniture from room to room. This is not by itself a strange activity, but they had a preference to do this after midnight. Flushing the toilet at three o’clock in the morning was another of their favourite past times. Maybe in another building this would not have been a problem, but here the walls were made of a carton-like material. I could hear everything—even their piss in the middle of the night. What a way to wake up, with a sensation of drowning.

One particular evening I was ill with the flu and her clicking heels were turning my headache from bad to splitting. For a moment everything was silent. Then a toilet was flushed. The contractors hired to build the plumbing must have had a sadistic streak in them; the piping system had been built in a way as to give the impression of a Tsunami each time the toilet was flushed. Too weak to open my eyes, I cursed inaudibly, my head still plastered to the sweaty pillow.

Eventually my anger filled me with enough courage to put my bathrobe and go upstairs to my neighbor’s apartment. I was ready to put her in her place, but when she opened the door, I stepped back. The woman had coppery hair, teeth like buttered popcorn, and insane-looking green eyes. Her eyes reminded me of one of those marsupial night creatures which live in constant terror of being eaten. Maybe her look had to do with her husband. In any case, we were unable to communicate. She spoke no English. She did ask, using sign language, if I spoke French or Dutch. I shook my head, came back downstairs, and collapsed on the bed.

What could I do? I didn’t even speak the language! I knew I had to channel my murderous instincts somehow, so several days later, once I felt better, I sat at the computer and I strangled her.

As writers, we’re extremely lucky to get away with murder.

If you would like to read the mystery story where I committed my crime, go to:
http://www.newmysteryreader.com/the_painting.htm

Copyright ©2005 by Mayra Calvani / All Rights Reserved. This column may not be copied nor printed in any form without permission from the author.

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To Write or Not to Write, That’s the Question

Writer’s block.
Do the words make you wince?
If you belong to that blessed, miraculous group of people who can write anywhere, anytime, who are able to switch themselves on into a writing mood like a light-switch, then your answer will be No. But if you’re like me, and belong to that cursed, demonic group who kill themselves writing that first sentence, these words will make you grimace with a heartache that plunges deeper than the Cayman Trough.
But what is writer’s block, and why do many writers–damn good ones—suffer from it? Some think the reason is old plain laziness or lack of discipline, but I disagree. The reason is more complex. I can’t help remembering my creative writing professor back in college—a published author of many mystery novels who suddenly stopped writing for eight long years simply because he “froze at the computer and couldn’t put a word down.”
Only God knows the dark mechanics that kept my professor from writing for such a long time, so I can only speak for myself.
So here it goes. What is writer’s block? Following the famous editorial advice, instead of “telling” you, I will “show” you.
Picture in your mind a beautiful winter morning, snow falling from the window, the office toasty warm, the house empty and quite. It’s just me and writer’s block:
9:30 I sit at the computer, ready to write that piece of literature that will bring me fame and riches (okay, no need to be greedy, I’ll settle for riches).
9:31 I decide I better answer my emails first, get them out of my mind (yeah, right).
10:00 I’m thirsty. I better make myself some tea. Writers drink hot beverages, don’t they?
10:05 I’m back at the computer. I take a sip of my tea and suddenly remember all the things I should be doing instead of writing: wash the rabbit hutches, purchase moist wipes for my husband’s glasses, do the laundry, vacuum the bedrooms, feed the fish… somehow there’s no end to this list.
10:25 I stare at the blank monitor. I loathe myself.
10:30 I’m hungry. I’ll have an early lunch (someone should conduct a study about frustrated writers and overeating).
10:50 I glare at the sign on my desk “A Writer Is Someone Who Writes Everyday,” and try to set it to flames with my mind power.
11:00 I put Vivaldi on the stereo (studies have shown baroque music “expands” the mind).
You get the picture. This is writer’s block. This is what happens when I break the habit of writing everyday and disconnect myself from my current project. I don’t know about you, but when I don’t write, the consequences are catastrophic. I hate the world. I snap at people (my husband is my favourite victim). I feel trapped in a box, unable to breathe. If I were the sort of person who went to pubs, I would surely start a brawl.
But what causes writer’s block?
Almost always, it is fear. Plain and simple. F-E-A-R.
Fear of not being good enough.
Fear of not being able to write that perfect sentence that will impress the reader. No wonder it blocks! How can you write freely and impress people at the same time?
So in order to lift the block, you need to get rid of that fear. It is easier said than done, I know, but I will give you a few practical tips that will help you overcome it, based on probably the best book on writing in the market today, Julia Cameron’s The Right To Write. If these tips have worked for me, they can work for you, too.

1. Keep a journal and write 3 pages of anything that comes to your mind each morning. Strictly stream-of-consciousness stuff. The idea is to drain your brain of all the clutter so that when you sit at the computer to do the actual writing, you’ll be able to do it with a clear head. You don’t feel like writing this morning? Your writing sucks? You feel fat? You hate your neighbour? Write it down. By the way, if you feel like clobbering someone to death with a medieval flail, add that too. Write down your dreams, your plans, your fears. The idea is to keep writing non-stop until you have fill those 3 pages. Remember to do it in the morning. If you write in your journal at night you’ll probably go over what you did during the day and this will defeat the purpose. The idea is to positively affect your day by writing those pages in the morning. By training your mind to do this each morning, you will not only make writing more approachable, but also more disciplined.

2. Don’t edit as you write. If you can’t keep your neurotic, perfectionist urges under control, then at least keep them to an absolute minimum. Editing as you write is like editing a movie and filming it at the same time. It can become pathological. Editing, re-editing, searching for that flawless sentence that will create that immaculate paragraph. Well, do you want to know something? It won’t happen. No matter how many times you try to improve it, there will be always room for improvement. Ultimately, if you want to finish that first draft, you’ll have to trust yourself and simply let it go. Remember that a first draft is just that, a first draft. Once you’ve finished that first draft then you can polish and change and edit all you want.

3. Set yourself a small quota everyday. You don’t have to finish a whole chapter in one sitting. Just write 2 pages, or 1, or even just a paragraph. The important thing here is to meet that daily quota. It’s amazing how thinking like this can affect your brain. It’s like with exercise. If you tell yourself, “Oh no, I have to exercise for one whole hour,” this will block you. But if you think, “I’ll only exercise 20 minutes,” the work becomes more approachable and you’ll stick with it. The key here is to create the habit a little step at a time. This daily quota will allow you to feel “guilt-free” for the rest of the day, making it possible for you to spend happier times with your family and do other things. In other words, if you stick to your writing schedule, you’ll be able to enjoy life.

4. Have the right sense of direction. This is probably one of Cameron’s most powerful advice. Don’t think that you have to think something up, that you have to create something. Instead, think that the words, plots, characters are already there suspended in some other dimension, and all you have to do is listen intently and write the words down as if taking dictation. Thinking like this will immediately lift a heavy load off your shoulders. It will make you feel free of responsibility and allow your writing to flow easier.

5. Find a support group. Artistic souls need artistic soul mates. If there isn’t any support group you like, start your own, like I did. As I write this article, I’m sitting at a café with 3 writer friends. We meet every Friday morning from 10 to 12. These meetings are incredibly productive, maybe for the simple reason that I HAVE to write. I mean, face it, not writing alone at home is bad, but not writing in front of your writer friends would be a disgrace. Who wants to be a loser? Also, writers need to get out of their homes and experience a change of scene. Writing at a café makes writing fun.

6. Give your brain high quality foods: Read great books on all types of subjects. I read astronomy, cosmology, history, comparative religion, physics, metaphysics. Listen to music. Music can trigger powerful inspiration. But please, not heavy metal! Put your favourite composer on the stereo, close your eyes, and let your mind drift. This can be a powerful form of meditation. I assure you scenes of future books will appear in your mind, characters will talk, ideas for your present project will present themselves. Visit museums, flower shops, go to the theatre, take walks and observe nature. All these things will enrich your life and your mind, automatically giving your writing more energy and depth.

Don’t be afraid. Just write. Just WRITE. Just describe the movie in your head and put the words down. In the meantime I’ll try to apply these wise words to myself, and not give the evil eye to the “A Writer Is Someone Who Writes Everyday” sign on my desk.

Copyright ©2005 by Mayra Calvani / All Rights Reserved. This column may not be copied nor printed in any form without permission from the author.

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Book Review: Meter Made, by M.D. Benoit

Meter Made
by M.D. Benoit
Zumaya Publications
http://www.zumayapublications.com
ISBN: 1-55410-302-9
Copyright 2005
Trade paperback, 256 pages, $12.99
Science Fiction Mystery

A kick-ass detective, a world where people and buildings are disappearing, universes within universes, cloning, and multiple dimensions are some of the elements in Meter Made that will keep you turning those pages till the end.

The novel begins with an intriguing scenario when Jack Meter receives an unusual request—to find a building which has simply vanished into thin air. Soon a beautiful yet cunningly deceiving agent from the Intergalactic Agency joins him in the investigation. As they ‘travel’ from one universe to another and escape from bounty hunters, it becomes clear the problem isn’t really about a lost building. Something incalculably higher is at stake, something that may destroy their own universe, and it’s up to Jack to prevent it. But will he—when he’s surrounded by people he can’t trust, unjustly suspected of multiple murders, almost fried by acid, and followed by vicious killers—one of them his own clone?

If you enjoy science fiction, mysteries, and physics theories about multiple dimensions, this is the book for you. The protagonist, Detective Jack Meter, is utterly sympathetic and has a sharp, witty tongue. The plot is intriguing and moves at a quick pace. Talented author M.D. Benoit utilizes quick, sharp dialogue to propel the story, which has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing for the culprits. The science behind the premise of the story is fascinating and they way Benoit moves her characters from one strange world to the other believable. Meter Made is the second book in the series. Though the book stands well on its own, I’d recommend reading Metered Space first, if only to more fully understand past references in the story. I sure look forward to reading more books in the Jack Meter series.

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Science Fiction Author Spotlight: M.D. Benoit

1. You state on your website that you started writing ten years ago. What compelled you to make that first move and ‘become’ a serious writer?
I’d had my own human resources consulting company for 5 years. I was making incredible money, and hated every minute of the work. I was stressed out, grumpy, bitchy, and depressed on Sundays because I had to go back to work. Then a good friend of mine, who had loathed his job for years, died six months after retirement. He was 42.

It was a wake-up call. I decided that life was too short to do something you hated. It took me a year to be able to close my business, and our income dropped dramatically, but it was the best decision of my life. Six months after I quit, I looked ten years younger.

2. Besides being an author, you’re also a freelance editor. Don’t you find it hard to edit when there are hundreds of classics out there that break the ‘rules’ of writing? Why was it okay to use so much ‘telling’ and adjectives and adverbs one hundred years ago but it’s not okay now? To what do you attribute this change?
I’m so glad you asked this question. In Dickens’, Dostoyevsky’s or Tolstoy’s time, there were no visual media. It was critical to the story to describe the setting in every detail to situate the protagonists since most readers had never been to places outside their small town, their farms, their cities.

Today, if I talk about the pyramids in Egypt, most people have seen them on TV, in a picture book, on the internet, in the newspaper. It’s not necessary that I take three pages to describe them in detail. The use of adverbs and adjectives served a useful purpose: it cut down on description. Today, we don’t have that excuse.

Besides, with life being so much faster today, the emphasis is on action, on punch. Take out extraneous words. Get on with the story. Use action verbs.

3. Tell us about your book series and your main character, Jack Meter. What was your source of inspiration for this character?
Jack popped into my head all grown up. Metered Space started as an exercise for Writelab, an internet writing course. For almost six months after that, Jack kept invading my mind, screaming for me to tell his story. I wrote Metered Space (originally titled ‘Til the Fat Lady Sings) because I couldn’t not write it. It was my first “serious” writing exercise, and I still had my company at the time. I found a publisher, now defunct, and went on to write Synergy (published this March). But Jack had other adventures in mind, so I wrote Meter Made, a semi-sequel. The more I wrote about Jack, the more stories jumped up at me, so it became a series. Meter Destiny will be next, hopefully by the end of the year. Meter Parents is already written, ready for editing, and another in is the works, Meter Dreams.

4. Your website has links to genetic engineering, cloning, biotechnology, and evolution sites. Why are these subjects important to you? Are these your brain food?

I became interested in genetic engineering during the controversies about Genetically Modified Organisms. Then I came upon a newspaper article about genetic warfare, and, I followed avidly the issues around cloning with Dolly the sheep and the race to map the human genome. This gave me ideas for stories. Synergy, coming out this March, is about genetic modification and warfare. The next in the trio, Catalyst, is about human cloning farms. The third, which I’m working on right now, is entitled Entropy, and deals with the consequences of monoculture and genetically modifying food staples like rice, maize, and wheat.

I was so fascinated by the entire body of work that I felt it would be interesting to have a collection of links for people like me who wanted to know more.

5. What type of books do you read to feed your brain in order to create your stories?

I’m an eclectic reader. I read everything from literary fiction to science fiction, with mystery, fantasy, romance, thrillers in between. My very favorite book from the past few years has been Blindness, by Nobel prize winner José Saramago. On my current TBR pile are Joshua Palmatier, Neil Gaiman, Tanya Huff, Richard Benoit, Scott Westerfeld, Donna Leon, Wally Lamb, Salman Rushdie, Timothy Findlay, and Doris Lessing.

6. Tell us about your upcoming release.As mentioned above, it’s about gene modification and warfare, but it’s also about two people who complement each other like yin and yang. Torver Lockwood is scarred emotionally, Demetria Greyson is disfigured. He can travel other people’s lifepaths and find their innermost secrets to use against them; she is unwaveringly honest and has visions that hold the secret of the cure needed to save a very sick child. They can only find the solution if they work together. But there are two major problems: genetic engineering on humans in prohibited by law and, in developing the cure, they may build the ultimate genetic weapon. The question is, does the end justify the means? Is it worth developing a doomsday weapon to save the life of one child?

7. Do you have a website where readers may learn more about you and your work?M. D. Benoit’s World, which has descriptions of my books and a first chapter to read is at http://mdbenoit.com. I also have a blog, Life’s weirder than fiction, at http://mdbenoit.com/blog. Jack Meter has his own blog, where he discusses his own take on life and his most recent cases, at http://jackmeter.wordpress.com. I’m also associated with a group of mad authors, and post to our blog, It’s a mad, mad, world, at http://madten.wordpress.com.

8. Who is the author (or book) which has influenced you the most as a writer?

Hmm. I’d say the first one I remember with awe is my father. He wasn’t a writer, but an incredible storyteller. Every night for years, when we were growing up, he would tell us a story. Of course, my two brothers and I were the protagonists. There was always a dark forest, alien beings, caves and bats, witches, keypads to press that led to strange, dangerous worlds. We had to overcome many obstacles, and the story lasted for weeks. I learned the skill of building cliffhangers from him. I have a picture of me sitting on his lap (I must have been two or three), my face rapt as he tells a story.

9. Is there one famous author in your genre who you think has been overrated? Why?

Not necessarily in my genre, but I find nowadays that many of the “big” authors –King, Chrichton, Brown, Grisham, to name a few –are selling their names rather than their stories, which are essentially crap. The books are poorly edited, the stories mundane and repetitive. I find I’m much more interested by the emerging authors, like Holly Phillips, for instance, a Canadian who writes literary science fiction that will send shivers of delight down your spine.

10. What is your schedule like? Do you have any ‘mad author’ quirks?

I listen to classical music when I write, especially Bach and Beethoven chamber works. I’m addicted to Mah Jong, so I have three different computer games that I play when I want to take a break. I do an online crossword every day. I’ll usually start by reading my email, maybe comment on some entries in my LJ and Mobile Reader communities, post on my blog. Around 9am, I’ll start writing and write until 11:30. I have lunch, read while I eat, then go back to writing until about 2pm, which is the end of my writing day. I’ll usually break to do my yoga, then I’ll take a shower. Errands if I need to, work on marketing issues even if I don’t want to. Repeat in the morning.

11. What is the easiest part of writing? The most difficult?

For me there are more things difficult to do than easy ones. Starting a new story is for me very difficult and scary. It’s always as if it were the first book I’ve ever written. Finishing a book is also hard, but there’s tremendous satisfaction in writing “The End”. Editing my work is difficult, as well. I usually will have a minimum of four drafts. The first draft is the easiest and most fun to write. Once you’re in flow, it’s like feeding on Belgian Chocolate.

12. Are you the quiet, anti-social, secluded type of author, or a Hemingway styled, ‘live to the fullest’ writer?
I’m definitely a recluse, and have been for most of my life. To paraphrase Joyce Carol Oates, I often find the characters in my books more interesting than the real people I meet.

13. Would you please leave your readers with some witty words of wisdom?

This is why I write:

“The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him… a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death. Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create — so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating.” -Pearl S. Buck, novelist, Nobel laureate (1892-1973)

Thanks for the opportunity of telling your readers a bit about myself!

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How to Get Celebrity Testimonials

Getting celebrity testimonials or endorsements is an effective way to boost sales, add publicity and credibility to your book, and attract attention from booksellers and libraries. As a small press author, I don’t think I would have any trouble getting reviews from Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly or Library Journal if printed on the front cover of my vampire novel were a testimonial by Anne Rice. Yeah, I know… dare to dream. Well, I actually checked on her website for her contact info, and although there’s a way to get in touch with her (that’s not to say she’ll answer my message), she makes it plainly clear that she won’t read other author’s manuscripts. With famous authors, this seems to be the rule.

Mid-level authors with big publishers have more luck because the publishers themselves (or at least their publicists) take care of this job. But how can small press authors get testimonials from celebrities when it’s so difficult to make contact, and when celebrities are too busy to read other’s works?

One way is through conferences and associations. By attending conferences in your book’s genre, you’re able to make connections and meet other authors, including famous ones. Even if you don’t meet famous ones, you might meet people who actually know them and could put a word for you. If you’re shy to socialize, just pretend you’re not yourself for the duration of the conference. This might sound silly, but the other day I read an interview where they asked the successful CEO of a famous company what her secret was, and she said, “I just pretend I’m Jennifer Lopez.”

Another way to get testimonials is by doing a search on the internet. Just type: “celebrity contacts.” Remember many celebrities have websites with their contact info.

You may also check http://www.ContactAnyCelebrity.com. This is a database with over 54,000 celebrities. Remember to choose people who are recognizable in your field.

Another resource is http://www.ParaPublishing.com (Doc. 609).

I’d recommend first querying before actually sending an ARC or draft of your book. Making contact by snail mail is more effective because of the problems with spam, though follow-up emails are fine.

When querying, remember the following:

* Make it easy for the celebrity to answer you. Always include a S.A.SE.
* Send a personal letter explaining what the book is about. Include all relevant information about the book—publisher, ISBN, publication date, etc.
* If you already have reviews or other endorsements (even by unknown authors), include them. Also mention any awards won.
* The more personal, the better. A handwritten post-it or note will get attention.
* Tell the celebrity how much you admire their work, and how honoured you’d feel if he or she gave you a testimonial. Many celebrities will feel flattered.
* Remind the celebrity how giving you a testimonial would actually give him or her free publicity.

If you haven’t heard from the person in two weeks, send a follow up letter. If he declines to read your book, thank him anyway. He might not read your book now, but he might do it next time. Once he agrees to look at your book, send him an ARC or draft. Some writers include an easy-to-fill out form to make it easy for the celebrity. Of course, never forget the S.A.S.E. If you don’t hear from him in three weeks, send a follow-up letter. The secret is to be persistent, but always polite.

And remember, you’ll never know the possibilities until you try!

Mayra Calvani is an author and book reviewer. Her stories, articles and reviews have appeared on many online and print publications in the States, England and Puerto Rico. Check out her latest release, Embraced by the Shadows, at: http://www.bookswelove.net/calvani.html

Copyright ©2006 by Mayra Calvani / All Rights Reserved. This column may not be copied nor printed in any form without permission from the author.

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How Authors Should Contact Bookstores

If you’re a small press author, trying to get your book into brick and mortar stores can be one of the hardest tasks to accomplish. If you’re a POD author, chances are close to impossible unless you deal with independent local bookstores which usually are more flexible and open to helping local authors. But as a rule, big chain stores won’t stock a POD book, mainly because of lack of returnability and the poor (and mostly unfair) reputation of print on demand books.

But, as I said, small independent bookstores are more open and flexible and more willing to take a small risk with a an unknown author. Though it is true that most people (about 52%) shop books at big chain stores, here your book will be lost amidst thousands. In a small bookstore, however, you competition will be less because there are not as many books on the shelves. Of course, most people go shopping for their books at the big chain stores, thus their popularity.

If you want to market your book to bookstores, the first thing you need to do is to locate them. You also need to decide which type to contact. You may want to contact bookstores by genre or geographical are. If you live in Los Angeles and your book is a mystery, for instance, you may want to contact all mystery bookstores in your city first before moving to other geographical areas.

To locate bookstores you may check:

*Yellow Pages Directory in your city.
*Yellow Pages Directory on the Internet.
*The ABA Bookstore Directory: http://www.bookweb.org
*The American Booktrade Directory (you may check this at the library).

Another easy way to locate bookstores, but which costs money, is to rent a mailing list. For $40, you may obtain a mailing list of the top 700 independent bookstores at http://www.bookmarket.com.

Once you have a list of the bookstores you wish to contact, there are some guidelines you should keep in mind before getting in touch with their owners:

*Prepare an attractive brochure or media kit, which should contain your contact information, book information, an author’s bio, a book description or blurb, review quotes, and mention of any awards. If you don’t know how to prepare a brochure or media kit, please make sure to do a research on the internet first. Amateurish material will be toss in the trashcan, you can be sure of that.

*Some owners prefer a brochure, others a sample copy of the book. You should also include a personal letter (not generic!) introducing yourself and your book. Keep it brief and professional—never brag about the magnificent qualities of the book. The book must speak for itself. If you have any rave review quotes of your book, the place for these is on the brochure or media kit. Many bookstore owners like handwritten letters or post-its. The ‘personal’ aspect of this will make you stand out. Of course, it’s always a test, and the reality is most material received by owners ends up in the trash can. But the more personal and professional you are, the better your chances to succeed. Alan Beats, of Borderland Books, says, “Sending a well thought out cover letter with a review copy. The quality of the cover letter is very important. If it’s poorly written or has grammatical errors, I won’t even look at the book. The letter will get major plus points if it is clear that the person writing it has researched our store and if it’s address to me directly.”

Some bookstore owners prefer to be sent sample copies by the publisher itself instead of the author. These people will not consider a publisher legitimate otherwise and will not stock its books.

*Don’t phone. Bookstore owners are too busy and don’t like to be bothered by desperate authors over the phone. “The worse thing to do is to bug us about it after you’ve sent it,” says Del Howison, owner of Dark Delicacies, a bookstore specializing in horror. “We’re not a critiquing service so we’re not going to give you a rundown on what’s good and bad about it. There are plenty of editors out there who will do that for you.” Howison prefers a sample copy of the book instead of a brochure.

*Make sure your book is relevant to the store. If your book is a novel about witches or vampires, you won’t have any luck with a Christian bookstore! Make sure your time and resources are not going to waste.

*Keep a record of your contacts and marketing efforts to use in the future for other books.

Though most marketing experts out there keep insisting that bookstores are not the best places to market your books—and though this may be true—there’s one thing for sure: nothing beats seeing your book in a bookstore shelf!

Good luck!

Copyright ©2006 by Mayra Calvani / All Rights Reserved. This column may not be copied nor printed in any form without permission from the author.

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Audio Interviews and the Shy Writer

Audio interviews are in rising popularity as a tool of book promotion among authors. After all, all you need are a phone, a witty personality, and a talent for public speaking. The first one is easy—everybody has a phone these days. The second is a gift you may be born with if you’re lucky. The third is a skill that can be learned, improved and perfected with the right tools. Since there aren’t magical drugs on how to become more witty (sorry, you’re stuck with those genes), in this article I’ll be focusing on how to help authors improve their chances to succeed at audio interviews.  The prospect of doing an audio interview is a source of stress, anxiety and even panic for many authors—especially the shy ones. Let’s face it, many things could go wrong. A technical problem might arise or the author might freeze at a question and start stuttering. Most often the problems are technical, or the interviewer is faced with an author who talks very little or is unable to stop talking. To beat the odds, there are practical steps an author can take. Andrea Sisco of Armchair Interviews, http://www.armchairinterviews.com, offers the following advice: 

* Be prepared. Ask the interviewer what types of questions are likely to be asked.  *Practice:  Have a friend interview you (to avoid the ummm, ahs, silences).  It’s an art form and I learned this early on when I worked in tv and as my husband is a professional speaker. 

*Have something to say:  Tell us something unique about the book/story.  If you’re able to use humor appropriately, do so (people love it). *Don’t talk more than 90 seconds (in answering a question).  In audio, people lose interest if you drone on and on.  There needs to be a discussion between the author and interviewer, otherwise it’s a lecture. 

* If there is a topic you don’t want to discuss, tell the interviewer, otherwise you could be caught on tape and not know what to do.  * Speak up.  Audio’s are touchy (since you’re not in a sound studio).  Also, make sure you turn off call waiting so we don’t hear beeps.  Put the dog in another room (children also) and make sure the windows and doors are closed so we don’t hear outside noise that can be distracting. * Have a pen/paper handy to make note of anything you think of that you want to discuss.  Also take note of any directions given by the interviewer. * Keep your voice well modulated.  People don’t want to listen to someone that drones, sounds flat, etc. 

* If you’re directed to call the interviewer (or receive a call) be there and be on time.  Twice I’ve had no shows.  They didn’t write the time/date down.  You could lose an interview that way.  It certainly isn’t professional.  Interviews with Armchair Interviews are fee-based and open to self-published authors, as well as those from small and big publishing houses. Francine Silverman, who has her own Internet radio show, advices authors to practice in front of a mirror. “I have had some authors who do not contribute much - they wait until I ask a question. This makes it difficult for me since I can only formulate so many questions. Authors should practice talking about their books in front of a mirror and write down what they plan to say. If they are asked to provide questions beforehand, they have an idea what will be asked. Also, in my opinion, the best guests are those who promote their appearance to their mailing lists,” she says.  Francine’s radio show is called Marketing with Fran and is on Achieve Radio, http://www.achieveradio.com on Tuesdays, at 2 p.m., EST., and lasts one hour. “The shows are archived ten minutes after each show,” she adds, “and can be accessed by visiting the site and clicking “Hosts” on the left and scrolling down to my show. There is no charge to guests, who are mainly authors, publicists and publishers. Yes, I would say all authors are welcome, providing they are comfortable speaking and are cooperative in providing me with the tools I need for a good interview, i.e., a list of questions, copy of the book, bio.” If you’re interested, you may contact Francine at franalive@optonline.net.  

More useful tips:  * Join a local speaker’s club.  

* Listen to many audio interviews to have a clear idea of what is expected, paying special attention to the author’s voice, tempo, and manner in answering questions. One great show I’d love to recommend is Barbara DeMarco-Barret’s Writers On Writing (http://www.barbarademarcobarrett.com/writersonwriting/index.html) where she regularly interviews authors, agents, and editors. Though it is difficult to measure the level of effectiveness audio interviews have in actually selling books, it is undeniable that any promotion is better that no promotion at all. I have gone straight to Amazon and purchased books after listening to audio interviews. One thing that is very important to increase effectiveness is to announce the interview beforehand to as many people as possible—friends, relatives, colleagues, clubs, online groups, lists,  forums, etc.. Finally, don’t forget that audio interviews are like murders—the more you do them, the easier they get.

Copyright ©2006 by Mayra Calvani / All Rights Reserved. This column may not be copied nor printed in any form without permission from the author.

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Book Review: Aiming at Amazon, by Aaron Shepard

 

Aiming At Amazon, By Aaron Shepard, Shepard Publications, www.shepardpub.com, ISBN: 978-0-938497-43-1, Copyright 2007, Trade Paperback, 174 pages, $15.00, Non-fiction/Publishing & Marketing 

In his latest book, Aiming at Amazon, Aaron Shepard proposes a revolutionary way to easily self publish your non-fiction work and market it successfully.  No, this is not one of those books that will teach you how to become an instant Amazon Bestseller. What Shepard suggests is much more ingenious. While becoming an instant bestseller may appear glamorous, the effect of this marketing trick lasts little compared to a real bestseller with good steady sales over a long period of time. Furthermore, the author’s innovative technique includes ignoring—yes, totally disregarding—bookstores. With this plan, your aim will be selling your book via Amazon only. While this method may appear a little extreme, there’s a beautiful simplicity to it.  Shepard demystifies distributors and wholesalers and offers you a practical, step-by-step plan on how to become your own small press, print your book, and sell it to the public via Amazon. He explains why it’s important to stay away from subsidy companies that use print on demand, and he takes you right to the POD printer itself—Lightning Source—saving you an infinite amount of money in the process.   Some of the topics discussed include: choosing POD for printing your books, researching the market, designing and layout, cover design, setting up accounts with Lightning Source and Amazon, Amazon marketing tactics, and getting reviews, among others. In sum, everything you need to know to become your own press and start selling your book online. Whether you live in the
US or in another part of the world, this is an important book to read if you plan on self publishing a non-fiction book, as Shepard also offers valuable information for those living abroad. Written in Shepard’s friendly style, Aiming at Amazon is a must read for anybody who is considering self publishing without too much hassle or expenses.

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Book Review: 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, by John Kremer

1001 Ways to Market Your Books, by John Kremer, ISBN: 0-912411-49-X, Copyright 2006 (6^th Edition), Trade Paperback, $27.95, 700 pages, Business/Marketing 

If you were able to choose only one book on book marketing today, this would be definitely it. This 700-page monster has all the information any author or publisher will ever need to market and promote books, and to create a “state-of-the-art” marketing plan.  In spite of the huge amount of information Kremer offers, the book is well organized and the subjects easy to find, either from the table of contents or index. The author also includes articles by experts on various subjects, as well as an amalgam of up-to-date links and resources.  What sets this book part from others in the field, besides the amount of information, are the details. There are many books on promotion out there, but few go as deep as this one. In this sense, this is an invaluable reference work. Though it is impossible to list all the subjects covered, following are some of them: basic fundamentals of book marketing, planning, distributors and wholesalers, major book reviewers, arranging print/radio/TV interviews, book tours, book signings, advertising (direct mail, finding lists, telemarketing, print ads), offbeat marketing, book fairs and conferences, catalogs, internet promotion, selling to bookstores, libraries, gifts shops and many other retail markets, subsidiary and foreign rights, and much, much more.  Kremer explores each subject in depth and offers clear, pragmatic advice on how to succeed at each level of promotion. Have your highlighter, pencil and Post-its ready, as this is a book you’ll want to dissect and examine section by section. A book that should be not on your shelf but on your desk at all times, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books comes highly recommended from this reviewer. 

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