A Little Spunk to Start Your Week

Look who's here visiting with me today! Multi-published author L. Diane Wolfe. Not only does Diane have some of the best hair ever, she's packed a passel of good information into her blog post. See if you don't agree. On both.


The Purpose of Review Copies and Free Books

Most publishers and self-published authors give away free copies before a book’s publication date. Known as “review copies” or “ARCs,” these books go out to a variety of people and publications. Except for an additional format (the e-book) review copies haven’t changed much over the years.

The purpose of an ARC is to generate reviews. These are used several different ways:

·         Pre-publication reviews can be used for back-of-book quotes and on other promotional material.

·         Reviews from industry magazines and publications (such as Publishers Weekly and Library Journal) can generate orders from booksellers and libraries.

·         Book blogger reviews can be used for promotional purposes and generate interest.

·         Reader reviews also generate interest and can start a grass roots movement.

Traditionally, review copies were sent out by the publisher several months before the book’s release. The larger publishers were also able to supply a few copies to the author. Only print copies were accepted by reviewers, either in the form of an ARC, a galley, or a folded-and-gathered. Usually once the book was released, no more copies were sent.

The emergence of e-books (and the domination of the Internet) changed the game a bit. Since there are no printing or shipping costs, sending out e-books is economical.

Initially e-book ARCs were used mostly to increase sales. Before there were dedicated e-readers, the theory was one couldn’t give away enough free e-books. Why? Because the only way to read them was on a computer. Who wanted to stare at a computer screen to read a book? Most people would only read the first chapter, and if they liked it, they purchased the print book.

Today e-book review copies are used like print ARCs. Pre-publication reviewers still will not accept an e-book, but some book bloggers and certain online publications will take them. Most publishers will still only send ARCs to sites that can generate a review, but self-published authors can send books to anyone.

Online giveaways have meant new opportunities for publishers and authors. Now they can get ARCs into the hands of real readers for the purpose of online reviews. While Goodreads only allows print book giveaways, there are other opportunities for e-book giveaways, especially for self-published authors.

The delivery has changed some, along with the list of possible recipients. But the goal of review copies remains the same. Take advantage of early reviews!



HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW!
BY L. DIANE WOLFE

Publishing and promoting made simple!

Have you always dreamed of publishing a book but didn’t know where to begin? This book walks you through the steps of identifying markets, budgeting, building an online presence, and generating publicity. Get the whole story on:

·           Traditional publishing
·           Self-publishing
·           Print and e-book setup, formatting, and distribution
·           Finding your target audience
·           Generating reviews and media interest
·           Networking and developing an online presence
·           Promotional materials and appearances

Uncover your ideal publishing path and numerous marketing options before you begin. Writing is your dream. Give it the best chance for success!

Publishing/Marketing, 214 pages
$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.95 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0
Available in all Ebook formats

“She gives an unbiased take on the advantages and disadvantages of traditional publishing and self-publishing and publishing paths that combine the two… It's the perfect book for those who want an overview to begin the decision-making process.”
  - Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning series of how-to books for writers http://howtodoitfrugally.com/




L. Diane Wolfe
Professional Speaker & Author

Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and the author of numerous books. Her latest title, “How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now,” covers her publishing seminars in depth and provides an overview of the entire process from idea to market. “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting”, ties her goal-setting and leadership seminars together into one complete, enthusiastic package. Her YA series, The Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories. Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites & blogs, and assists writers through her author services.




Comments

We like those early reviews! Yeah for Diane - her book has some great tips in it.
Stina said…
I was going through Diane's book last night as I work on my marketing plans. I figured it's never too early to brainstorm ideas.

Thanks, Diane, for the reminder about GR's print only policy.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Thank you so much, Carol!

Stina, so many places still only take print. Hopefully that will change soon.
Unknown said…
Diane, great tips I will hold on to for when that day comes! (You're right,Carol, she does have great hair!)
Great tips, Diane. I will store this away too. My day will come!
Jennifer Shirk said…
Yes, early reviews do make a difference--especially early on in release I've noticed.

Great tip!
Unknown said…
Early reviews are great! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us Diane! :)
Julie Flanders said…
Thanks for sharing these great tips!
Carol Kilgore said…
I totally agree about the value of early reviews. Thanks for blogging with me today, Diane. I hope you enjoy hanging out at the Tiki Hut!
Bish Denham said…
This is the next book on my list to get! I'm SO looking forward to reading it and learning MORE.
VR Barkowski said…
Great information, Diane. It's interesting that pre-publication reviewers won't take e-books. Is it just that they're slow to accept change?

~VR Barkowski
Johanna Garth said…
Early reviews are the best. Diane always has so many great tips.
Ciara said…
Another great post by Diane. She is so full of great information. I admire her so much.
Carol Kilgore said…
Ciara - I admire Diane, too.
Unknown said…
Early reviews are so important. I sent out a lot of free books when mine came out.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Julie, thank you so much.

Thank you, Bish.

VR, it's both slow to change and the desire to keep self-published books out of the mix.

Thank you, Ciara.
Super interesting stuff here, I'm glad I know more now! I'm thinking I may need to get Diane's book - it looks so helpful!
Rula Sinara said…
Great post and info, Diane! Thanks for hosting her, Carol.
Hi Carol and Diane -- It's amazing how fast things are changing for writers, isn't it? The idea of sending an e-book review copy was unheard of just a few short years ago. Now it will definitely be on my To Do List for the next book I e-publish.
Mark Means said…
I found the Tiki Hut via L.Diane Wolf...and glad I did.

Great blog and I look forward to seeing more :)
ARC's are a great marketing tool. Great advice, thanks for posting :)
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Bethany, I hope you get some good nuggets from it.

Patricia, more places need to take e-books now.



Laura Eno said…
Diane has both great advice and great hair!
Being indie, I'm glad the trend has gone more toward ebooks - the only thing I wish would change is the fact that early reviewers have nowhere to post their reviews, since we can't list our books for pre-order the way the trad pubs can.
Laura Eno said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laura Eno said…
Push ONCE, post TWICE! Jeesh. Blogger's being weird today.
My one publisher is good at getting those early review copies out. It really helps with promotion.
I wish I had done that . . .but next time, right?
Great post, Diane!!!
Carol Kilgore said…
Patricia - Most of the changes are for the better, too, I think.

Mark - Welcome! I hope you'll visit often.
A bloody great bunch of reviews......
Melissa said…
Great post. I learned a few things for sure. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Laura - I do wish we could put up our books for pre-order. Maybe one day. Sigh.

Susan - Thanks for stopping by. Great to meet you.

Tyrean - Hope your book is doing well!
LD Masterson said…
Good information. I'm looking forward to using Diane's book when the time comes.
J.L. Campbell said…
Yes, the face of publishing has changed along with the methods used to achieve good results for books.
BECKY said…
Great info! Thanks, Carol for hosting Ms. Spunk on a Stick!
I've learned a lot from this post alone, so I know I'll learn a great deal from this book. It's one of a few on my TBAR (to buy and read) list. Thank you, Carol and Diane!

xoRobyn
Spunk got the funk... and amazing hair too!
Misha Gerrick said…
You know, I've been thinking of self-publishing and not once did this occur to me.

Maybe I haven't been thinking about it seriously enough, yet. :-)
Bonnee Crawford said…
A great post from Diane! I never really thought about where those one-line reviews you see on books came from. Hm, now I know!
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Laura, that is a good point.

Thank you so much, Robyn.

Misha, there is a lot to learn.

Thank you everyone for the hair comments. Yes, I am a true redhead.
Carol Kilgore said…
Good morning, everyone! Great to see some more smiling faces here today.

Diane, my hair from hell is very envious of your gorgeous mane :)
Southpaw said…
More great tips. Thanks.
Anonymous said…
Lots of good information in this post. Thank you:)
M Pax said…
I'm a slacker at this and let my reviews build organically. Wrong, I know. But I'd rather have legitimate reviews.

Congrats to Diane.

Happy Tuesday, Carol.
Thanks for all the great tips. "Spunky's" latest book sounds like a must-have; I just have to decided if I'll be satisfied with it as an e-version, or if I need to get the paperback. If it's more like a reference book, as I suspect it is, the paperback would probably work out better.

And yes, her hair is beautiful!
Carol Kilgore said…
Happy Tuesday back, Mary!

Susan - I'm getting the print book. It's on my list waiting until I have enough items for free shipping :)
Anonymous said…
Excellent advice. I hope to read Diane's book. It looks like a great reference book.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Carol, I would be happy to share. Won't tell you what this hair does to the drain in our tub.

Mary, there are book bloggers who will take an e-book and before its release.

Susan, a lot of people have told me they got the paperback so they could highlight and mark up the book.

Thank you, Medeia.

Thanks so much, Carol.
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks for blogging with me, Diane!
Karen Lange said…
Good to know! Thanks, Diane. Thanks to you too, Carol, for hosting. :)
Unknown said…
Great post, Diane, and I am definitely picking up your book ASAP.

Carol, you always have the most interesting guests. :)
Helen Ginger said…
If potential reviewers have a way of reading a pdf file, you can send out that. Most people, it seems like, have some kind of e-reader nowadays.

Good advice Diane -- and to all who don't have her book, Publish and Promote Your Book Now!, it's a really useful book with lots of links.
Carol Kilgore said…
Karen and Melissa - I try to keep things interesting around here :)

Helen - Waiting on my copy now!

.