Well, I have been using the Book Depository so I will probably do so again and shoot myself in the foot I daresay. Not to worry, I'll get you in the end.

Eileen

Thank you very much Allan. "Sometimes a little ambition goes a long way"


http://neilbarker.webs.com/

The interviews are appearing slowly but surely- just added one with Lynne North, author of children's books 'Zac's Destiny' and 'Gertie Gets it Right.' Have a look at www.allanmayer.com Read my Blog at:
http://allanmayer.wordpress.com

Hi Lynne,

I found your interview fascinating. You really get on with the writing and seem to have a lot of fun doing that. I liked the way Allan has given the title of Zac's Destiny such magical graphics. I hope your books do well. They sound great.
Catherine

Thanks for you comments Catherine, I'm quite enjoying putting these interviews together and feel honoured to be getting glimpses into the lives of fellow writers.
I've not been here for a few days- if you read my last blog you'll understand why- so it's good to see that the idea is still generating interest.
Annie, I've been giving your request a lot of consideration- I don't know if the website feature is the right place, but if you want to send me an article for my blog about your book and how you wrote it, I would be happy to post it there and make your name a blip in cyberspace. It could be that you're the next JK Rowling, so I'd be foolish if I didn't connect your name to mine in some way, wouldn't I?
Are you looking for an agent/ publisher or have you decided to go straight for self or POD publishing? Whatever your answer, the first 'must have' is the 'Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.' That's THE place for informed advice on publishing.

Now, I could go on forever on the question of raising your profile. Those in the know say that books published by major publishers are promoted for months before their release, so why not mimic that?
The best place to start is with your own blog- it's free, and takes some time to establish a readership. The downside is- as well as reading your blog and being attracted to your work, people may read it and be put off, so try to make it interesting, witty, etc.
If you go to my blog and look at the earlier postings (from April 08) you will find a chronicle of Tasting the Wind from its inception through all of the different avenues I tried to get it published. This isn't a shameless ad for my blog, by the way, if you click on the blog links of any YWO member you will probably find the same sort of thing.

I was blogging for months before I was published, and also did readings on YouTube (check out the thread in this forum.)
If you are POD publishing you shouldn't fool yourself into thinking that your marketing efforts will rival those of major publishing houses but I can certainly claim that my pre-publishing efforts generated some interest and sales. As soon as I announced that Tasting the Wind was available I got a comment on my blog asking where it could be obtained in Australia.
I'll cut this short here- please visit the blog, look at my special posts on marketing,write me a post, set up your own blog and contact me through my website for any advice I can offer. I'm no expert- I've been at this for about a year now, but will be pleased to share anything that I've picked up on this rapid learning curve.
Good luck with your book,

Allan
http://www.allanmayer.com
Read my Blog at:
http://allanmayer.wordpress.com