Blog Entries for Valerie Connelly

HOW DO I MAKE A LIVING AS AN AUTHOR?

publisher@nightengalepress.com — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Every day I hear this question. Every day I reply with the same answer: discover your niche and focus all your attention on developing it.

Both fiction and non-fiction are niche worthy. Take Dan Brown, for one outstanding example of niche creation in fiction. His books are designed as mystery-driven thrillers, complete with symbol-ridden secrets to be discovered in historically significant places by interestingly flawed characters. Add to that the controversial religious themes that c [...]

WHY PAY TO PUBLISH?

publisher@nightengalepress.com — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

All right, pay-to-publish is a touchy subject, and we all know it.

Many authors think there is something inherently bad about paying to publish a book. Publishers who are looking to pay advances for new talent are non-existent. over 500,000 books are published every year in the USA. So, when an unknown author tries the old query-and-hope-for-the-best technique of submitting books for consideration, the rejection notices pile up like the recent blizzard in Denver, Colorado, two feet dee [...]

Summer Tips for Marketing Your Books

publisher@nightengalepress.com — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

June is the month of love and a popular month for weddings. But, in the world of books, June is the month when everyone wants a quick-read novel for the beach, or something plain old entertaining for the trip to some well-deserved vacation spot. Perhaps some are still wishing to learn something new, but most are looking for light fare.

BEA2009 is over , but the buzz is still vibrating! Read BEA Book Publisher's Discussion led by Tina Brown, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Beast for [...]

PR SAVVY for Authors

publisher@nightengalepress.com — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

To the first-time author, sending Press Releases may seem confusing and time-consuming. How does one decide which press release service to use? Should you send press releases via several services at one time? Why is learning to do this for yourself the best thing to do, to save money and expand your audience.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

The typical PR firm charges a retainer of $3500 per month under a 12-month minimum contract. This means the author or business pays $42,000 for a year [...]

You Have the Power

publisher@nightengalepress.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

When I think about how to inspire the people I work for, meaning my authors, I realize the barriers they see ahead can seem over whelming. The progression of motivation goes from optimistic and motivated to befuddled and fatigued. The period of time it takes for the first description to morph into the second description really depends on many factors, but most of all it depends on an author's understanding of the daily job required to breathe life into a book.

Most often, I see the joy go out [...]

Welcome to the Publisher's Corner

publisher@nightengalepress.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Welcome to the Calling All Authors blog which will replace our Calling All Author's website. Why? Primarily, because the website was less effective than we had hoped. Simple as that!

The purpose of this blog is to bring perspective, information and motivational content to writers and authors who are trying to write, publish and market their books in t [...]