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http://www.The-Written-Wyrd.org/party.sh
Be there or be square.
As a side note: 'total number of items to be displayed' on the application form refers to 'titles'. Hopefully you would have several of each available. Ya live and learn. If ya live.
Til next
- Mood:
pleased
It looks like we may get as many as three authors' associations in to present their members' works. These would come under the 'Author's Representative (not an agent)' category on the application form. This could include multi-author anthologies from the group members, as well as their individual works. The one issue here is that the works presented must be self or small press published.
Works 'of interest to the spec fi community' would include anything non-fiction. A particular example is a query I received about a book on writing paranormal romance. As long as it is something our readers might reasonably expect to like, it's good.
Authors who can't make it to the Party can ask someone to represent them, acting just as if they were the author themself. This doesn't include an 'agent' on the logical grounds that if you have an agent, you can get into the New York market, and if you can't get into NYC, you won't have an agent.
Finally, let me raise an appeal: we have set aside some funds, and have received both donations and pledges, but this looks to be bigger than anticipated. If any of you would like to help out, please send your donations to PayPal. Our PayPal account is:
The-Written-Wyrd@hotmail.com
Even if you don't plan to attend the Party, you can help to establish this as a standard template which can be used at cons everywhere. The reaction this far has been great: let's put on a show that will wow 'em, and assure more such shows at other cons.
Til next,
- Mood:
contemplative
Norwescon
SeaTac, Wa
Doubletree Hotel
rm 1356 (The Presidential Suite)
Saturday, April 7th
7:00 to 8:00 PM
I have posted a page to the web site which gives the details and a downloadable Author / Small Press Participant sign up form.
If this works out, it could set the pattern for helping self pub and small press authors at cons throughout the region and - dare I think it? - around the country, too.
Here's hoping...
- Mood: hopeful
Vote for me.
- Mood:
depressed
- Mood: impressed
The web site has received several upgrades, including two promising new features: a section for new cover artists, and a section for book reviews. There have also been several articles uploaded, including a report on books on CDs.
Technology-wise, I added a new and better Mac, brought in Photoshop and some minor special application software, and am exploring audio for the coming year.
Marketing has been a big disappointment. I tried several advertising venues during the year, including con program book ads and ads in the magazines, with precious little luck. This seems to be a major hole in the self-pub Universe, and I am exploring ways to work around it. To the positive, I have shifted the print titles to CreateSpace / Amazon, and will look at adding the downloads there and elsewhere in the coming year.
Program-wise, a major change was dropping the books to libraries idea, since the libraries I contacted gave it the uniform cold shoulder. Ya try t' help some people... Against that, some new publicity / promotional concepts are being developed for the new year which hold real promise.
As for my personal writing, despite a slow month in November, I have pushed well beyond my annual quota, and stand now with 154,600 words in the pot. 'MacKenna: Confrontation' stands at 53,200 words; over half way done. I also completed and published 'Overland', and finished 'Diplomacy's Stepchild' in draft for 5 books published and one in final prep.
As to the future:
The coming month will be devoted to tax forms (feh) and legal paperwork. I am also putting 'M2' on hold while I push ahead with the edit and final prep for 'D2'. My goal is to get that out in time for Norwescon (see below). Once that is done, I will get back to 'M2' hopefully for release at Orycon.
A major development is that I have proposed to hold an Open Book Release Party at Norwescon, and they seem thrilled with the idea. The details are still being worked out, but the plan is to have various authors join forces for a group Book Release Party in one of the conference rooms. My hope is that this will become an integral part of what The Written Wyrd does, as it should bring the small presses, the self pub authors, the writers groups, and the public together for a big literary love-in. More on this in the next few weeks as details are finalized.
Another major development for 2012 is Audio Books. My marketing of the CD books at Orycon brought several requests for Audio Books, so I am accelerating that effort. I already have some audio software, and have explored sources for sounds, music, etc. There is still a way to go on this, but there should be some major developments during the year. More will be posted here and in the web site articles as things proceed.
The third development will be a concerted effort to explore virtual networking, which seems to be the only method of linking with readership which doesn't involve huge ad budgets. Look for further details in the articles during the year.
Well, enough for now. The hour is getting late, and I need to bunker up before the New Year celebrations start. My best to you all for the coming year. Keep scribbling!
Bob
- Mood: pleased
- Mood: amused
MacKenna 2 rumbles along with my 52K goal well in sight. If the rest is as easy, I may wind up moving it's release forward. And I scored the extended DVD set for Avatar - muy cool. Gee, I wish I could write in Technicolor!
- Mood: happy
- Mood:
nervous
It's still early to think about doing Audio Books, but circumstances have me making some initial moves on that. Stay tuned.
- Mood: contemplative
