November 30, 2005
--Ecclesiastes 3:1
In this issue:
1. The publishing calendar
2. Gifts for writers
3. Editor's Notes is a Best E-zine
4. Changes at Writer's Helper
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1. The Publishing Calendar
Last month I shared information from Howard White's workshop on publishing. Howard is BC's largest regional publisher so when he talks, I listen.This month I'll continue with the information Howard gave us on the publisher's calendar.
Even if you are a self-publisher, knowing the cycle of the rest of the publishing world can help you position yourself in the market place.
There are two launch periods per year.
Hard cover books come out in time for Christmas. They usually hit the shelves in the early fall. Reviewers have time to review them and publishers can advertise to the Christmas crowd.
If you plan a hard cover book, aim to have it available in the fall.
Soft cover books come out in spring. These offerings tend to be how-tos, summer reading, and nature guide books.
If your book is lighter reading, aim to put it out in spring.
Since the book store owners know the publishing cycle, they budget and order accordingly. You will sell your book more successfully if you offer your book at the right time.
Work backwards from the date you want to launch your book, book leave lots of time. Lynne Dickson outlines some of the problems with a self-publishing time-line here.
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2. Gifts For Writers
With Christmas just around the corner, the hunt is on for the perfect gift. Writer's Helper has opened a gift section. At this writing, it includes suggestions of gifts for writers that cost no money, and a new offering, the Writer's Helper gift certificate.Coming up is a section of recommended books for writers.
You can visit this section of the site yourself to dream...
You can give the URL to anyone who asks what you want for Christmas.
Go to https://www.writershelper.com/resources.html and follow the links to find the goodies.
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3. Editor's Notes Is A Best E-zine
Editor's Notes has been listed as a Best E-zine at http://bestezines.com/?id=152 If you click on the link, you'll see the listing. Feel free to vote for this newsletter. If you have some extra time on your hands, write a review.==========
4.Changes At Writer's Helper
Writer's Helper is undergoing a face lift.
First, I have reorganized the navigation bar at the left of the pages so you may not see what you expect when you look for your favorite page. All the pages are still there. If you don't see what you want, use the search box under the navigation bar. The results should take you where you want to go.
Second, the whole look and feel of the site will be changing. As I write, the changes are still under development, but before Christmas I expect that things will look different when you visit.
The content will be the same, but the way the page looks should make it easier for visitors to read that content.
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For those who care about these things, there is an updated photo at https://www.writershelper.com/editing-services.html
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My next newsletter is scheduled for the end of December, so this sends my wish to you for a wonderful holiday season.
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P.S. If you have a topic you want me to cover in a future issue, hit the reply button and let me know.