I’m in the middle of editing audio of a conversation I had with Lynne Klippel for Secrets To Getting Published, an upcoming digital product for authors. We chatted about ways authors can self-publish and market books. She shared that when someone orders her book online, she surprises them with an immediate copy of the eBook version. Great idea.

This morning I woke up to a recommendation by a friend on Facebook to read “Tech is Too Cheap to Meter: It’s Time to Manage for Abundance, Not Scarcity.”

Of course I clicked on the link, as I’m always interested in anything which talks about focusing on abundance (what you want vs. what you don’t want).

Much to my surprise, the article included a short, five minute video where Chris Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Wired discusses his latest book, Free: The Future of a Radical Price. In this video, he talks about all the versions of the book that are available. Many of them are free—yes free—as in $0.00. Brilliant marketing.

How great to live in a time where being generous actually creates more business—a win/win. I like that.

If you are a book author, I suggest you read the article and watch the video.

As an author, what versions will your book be available in? Which formats will you give away?

I am so happy to announce that Investment Atlas by Kenneth G. Winans received five top honors  in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. It was the winner in the Finance category and was a finalist in Best Overall Design, Business, History, and Coffee Table Book.

Ken said, “Winning in 2009 is especially sweet, because of all the great finance books written during these tumultuous times.

Investment Atlas is a reference book disguised as an artistic, colorful, coffee-table includes the performance and characteristics of stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate, and collectibles since 1800.

Cocreating Investment Atlas with Ken was a joyful process. He is an “anal” numbers guy with a great sense of humor.  His collection of old stocks and bonds are used throughout the book. Many thanks to Rik Rice for his design expertise.

Ken’s first book, Preferreds: Wall Street’s Best-Kept Income Secret, was a winner in the Best Book Awards for 2007 by USA Book News.

You can learn more about author Ken Winans and his company Winans International.

Ken’s books and Investment Charts can be ordered from SG&A Productions, Inc.

Sample pages from Investment Atlas

There's Gold in Them Financial Hills

Time Tested Investments

Aloha

Stories draw us in and encourage us to keep reading, to find out the ending. Whether it’s for a book you are self publishing or you are using the story for marketing and publicity, stories work.

This story was written by my dear friend Janet, who lives north of San Francisco. She’s a true angel. Enjoy!

Imagine my surprise yesterday as I went downstairs and noticed a sound, familiar, but out of context. Yes, I’d heard it right; there was a distinct quacking of a female duck, coming from outside. When I opened the front door, the regular, short quacks continued, about one every four seconds. Sure enough, when I ventured out I saw a beautiful duck walking on our pathway towards the garden. She seemed even more radiant when I noticed she was flanked by an adoring entourage of miniscule ducklings, all peeping in chorus in answer to her regularly timed quacks. Read the rest of this entry →

Aloha

Whether your book is published, in manuscript form, just a random collection of docs on your computer (or 3×5 cards), or just a glimmer in your heart, you need to create a platform beginning now.

Perhaps you are thinking, “But I’m not good at marketing and public relations (PR). I just want to write.”

Here’s the real deal. You’re the expert on your topic which makes YOU the best person to promote you and your topic. Guess what? This makes you a PR professional.

And here’s a great place to start.

There is a brand new online publication, inVocus, which provides daily media updates, pitching tips, expert analysis, and more. Included are tools and tips to help you be more effective when you pitch the media. You can hear podcasts of pitching preferences directly from the media contact. How cool is that?!

Check it out and Become the PR Expert for you and your topic.

Ongoing inVocus content will include:

• Daily Media Moves— Snapshots of important and interesting comings and goings of journalists, editors and bloggers
• “In Their Own Words”—Interviews with media professionals on how they wish to be approached and pitched.
• “Seize the Day” —Highlights events 30 days out and provides pitch ideas to leverage the upcoming event to build a successful campaign.
• Media Blog—News, views and reports of emerging developments to help guide PR professionals through the ever-evolving media environment.

Remember to Have Fun!