Amazon and eBooks are an extension of the publishing industry, not a replacement. 

There are four types of readers: 

~ Readers that purchase printed books only. 

~ Readers that purchase 50% printed, 50% eBooks. 

~ Readers that purchase 30% printed, 70% eBooks. 

~ Readers that purchase eBooks only. 

With that in mind, here are 15 ideas for Indy Bookstores: 

1. Open Submissions 

More and more self-published books are becoming hidden gems. Indy Bookstores will have a distinct advantage by finding those talented authors, then promoting and selling in their store. One of the biggest reasons bookstore chains are failing, is because of their watered down bestsellers list. Indy Bookstores can play by their own rules and find the real bestsellers, by accepting submissions from authors. 

2. Cost Cutting 

Indy Bookstores should make this critical adjustment immediately. The most productive and fair way of controlling the cost of a printed book is to charge by the page count. A one hundred-page book should not cost the same as a three hundred-page book. 

Simplified Example: 

200 page soft-back book can be printed for $3.16, + $0.60 shipping, = $3.76.

Let’s say the author self-published that book.

$1.00 royalty to the author.

$1.00 royalty to the Indy Bookstore.

$0.40 tax 

Final Retail Cost: $6.16. 

Example of final retail cost for 100, 200, 300, and 400 page books: 

100: $5.49

200: $6.16

300: $8.41

400: $9.98 

I know that someone will make a comment, “I can download an eBook for $2.99.” Just remember that three out of four readers still purchase printed books. This blog is dedicated to those people. 

3. Real Time Printing 

Two years ago, I predicted that every bookstore and mass-market store would have book-printing machine that has the ability to print any book with an ISBN number in twenty minutes or less for a customer. My prediction did not come to fruition. Nevertheless, I still believe real time printing is coming, especially to Indy Bookstores. 

4. Special Edition Books 

Indy Bookstores should have an entire section dedicated to special edition books. The look, feel, and wow factor of these books cannot be duplicated in the digital world. The experience of looking over all those books at once cannot be duplicated by Amazon. 

5. Matchmaker 

Customer matchmaking is the process of assisting readers to find a book that matches their interest. Matchmaker can be done digitally on the bookstore website, or personally by a staff member in the store. The Indy Bookstore can use this process to introduce readers to unknown, yet talented authors. (See Open Submissions.) 

6. Gift Baskets 

Match non-book items with books in a gift basket. The idea to use items that go along with the book’s theme, or genre. For example, the bookstore can put together T-shirts and posters to go along with their children and tween books. Put candles together with spiritual books. Local restaurant and movie gift cards to go along with romance books. 

7. Customer Feedback 

Readers have unfortunately become the new gatekeepers in publishing. Indy Bookstores can use that to their advantage. Whenever a customer purchases a book, the store should give the customer a feedback card, which doubles as a coupon. After the customer reads the book, they can fill out the card, then turn back into the bookstore and receive a 20% discount off their next purchase. Bookstores can use these feedback cards to monitor which books they should be selling. Also, the bookstore can send the feedback to the author. 

8. Local Team UP! 

Local businesses have already started teaming up and promoting each other. (This is also a good idea for authors, but that is blog for another time.) The Indy Bookstore can handout fliers and gift cards from other local businesses. (The local businesses will do the same for the bookstore.) Also, local businesses can promote each other on their websites. 

9. Community Involvement  

The Indy Bookstore can donate books to families, have yearly short story contests, and create reading, writing, and illustrating programs. 

10. Special Store Hours 

To save money, Indy Bookstores should have this schedule: 

Wednesday – Sunday, Open1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Special Events can be scheduled Wednesday – Saturday,9:00 a.m.toNoon

(See special events listed below.)

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays 

11. Local Team UP Events! 

Local businesses can take turns hosting events. For example, the Indy Bookstore can host an event and invite all the local restaurants to have food samples for customers. 

12. Author Events 

Book signings are great, but letting an author hold a private event with fifty VIP Guests is a win/win for the store and the author. 

13. Ticket Events 

Indy Bookstores can use their imagination for ticket events. These should be scheduled during non-store hours. Here are some examples: 

~ 5^th Grade only event! (Or middle school only event! Or 1^st Grade only event!)

~ Bookstore Birthday Party!

~ School Fieldtrips

~ Writing Conference

~ Youth Group Event

~ Bookstore Easter Egg Hunt

~ Haunted Bookstore (In October) 

14. Mobile Bookstore 

One or two staff members should sell books at statewide events, book conventions, writing conferences, school events, church events, YMCA, etc… The goal is to reach customers beyond the community. 

15. Marketing 

Why are eBooks and Amazon so popular? Great marketing. Why is there so much news about bookstores becoming extinct in the next few years? Great marketing. (By Amazon and digital companies.) 

Bookstores need to change their perception, before it becomes a reality. I love going into bookstores. In fact, bookstores are my favorite hangout. I’ll bet millions of people feel the same way. 

Adding a ton of non-book items and a yogurt stand is not the ultimate solution to saving bookstores. Printed books and Indy Bookstores remain a terrific experience. 

UP Authors is in the process of purchasing a local bookstore. Some people may claim that we are crazy for doing so. Nevertheless, we see thousands of talented, yet unknown authors everyday. 

And we are willing to bet our future on those authors… 

Ron Knight 

Untraditional Publishing will show you ways to build Author Confidence, increase your Author Knowledge, provide Author Self-Discovery, help authors gain Experience, and put authors in a position to succeed. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

However, new authors have major problems in three areas:

~ Writing Mechanics

~ The books starts off great, but fades with each chapter until it becomes unreadable.

~ Weak Dialogue.

Today, we will work on the third problem: Weak Dialogue.

If you can talk, then you should be able to write conversations in a book. Conversely, new authors have a tendency to think, “How should a conversation sound in a book?” By asking that question, the inexperienced author is already doomed.

Here is a bad example of dialogue:

“Kevin, you are late again,” Alice said angrily as Kevin walked into the door. “What is your excuse!?!”

“Listen Alice,” Kevin said instinctively. “I am doing the best that I can at this job! You are trying to get blood from a turnip!”

Alice stood up from her desk. “The deadline is looming large on the horizon,” she said irritably.

“Alice, I have no training in this area!” Kevin responded. “It’s not really my responsibility!”

“Well, Kevin. There is no time like the present,” she said sarcastically.

“Alice, I’m just getting my feet wet with this important project,” Kevin said more calmly. Was this a nightmare!?! he thought.

Alice looked very frustrated. “So Kevin. I guess it is back to the drawing board.”

# # #

That dialogue exchange shows common problems with inexperienced writers:

~ Using character names inside the dialogue.

~ Using “LY” words.

~ Using “said” in every response.

~ Overuse of exclamation marks to show anger, or frustration. (And using exclamation marks with question marks!?! I’m starting to see this more. Who started that!?! It must stop.)

~ Using cliché dialogue.

~ Using the word, “very.”

~ Forced character observation.

~ Telling, rather than showing.

Here is that same conversation. I will BOLD the problems.

“Kevin, you are late again,” Alice said angrily as Kevin walked into the door. “What is your excuse!?!”

“Listen Alice,” Kevin said instinctively. “I am doing the best that I can at this job! You are trying to get blood from a turnip!”

Alice stood up from her desk. “The deadline is looming large on the horizon,” she said irritably.

“Alice, I have no training in this area!” Kevin responded. “It’s not really my responsibility!”

“Well, Kevin. There is no time like the present,” she said sarcastically.

“Alice, I’m just getting my feet wet with this important project,” Kevin said more calmly. Was this a nightmare!?! he thought.

Alicelooked very frustrated. “So Kevin. I guess it is back to the drawing board.”

# # #

Here is the conversation, which has been fixed by a content editor.

Alice banged her fist on the desk as Kevin walked into the office. “You’re late again. What excuse do you have this time?”

Kevin locked his eyes on her. “You don’t seem to realize that I’m doing the best job I can.”

“The deadline is in two weeks.” She sprung to her feet and marched around the desk. “Do you even realize how important this project is to the company?”

“I haven’t been trained in this area. How can you possibly hold me responsible?”

“Well,” She gave him a sly grin. “It seems like you should devote more time into learning your job. I would start that today.”

“I’m just getting my feet wet.” Kevin heaved a sigh. “I understand its importance. I’ll get it done.”

Alice eased down, sitting on the edge of her desk, staring at him for a long moment. “I suppose we can start fresh and see what happens.”

# # #

The fixed dialogue actually sounds like a real conversation.

Ron Knight

Untraditional Publishing: The Third Option http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

The idea behind M.A.P.S. is this: “Everyday, an author should improve Mentally, improve Ambitions, improve Physically, and improve Spiritually.”

The key word in that definition is, improve.

~ Get Better

~ Perk UP

~ Recover

~ Progress

~ Develop

~ Advance

~ Expand

~ Increase

~ Enrich

~ UP-Grade!

If you are doing all these things as an author, your journey will be filled with rewards.

Everyday, Improve Mentally

When you turn eighteen, your brain will stop growing. However, your mind can improve the rest of your life. Whatever your mind thinks, is the direction you will be heading. Your thoughts will map each day of your author career.

You must teach your mind to work for you…not against you. Improve your mental abilities.

~ In addition to reading books in the same genre as you write, read non-fiction books to create ideas and improve your manuscripts.

~ In addition to writing what is comfortable, write about things that are uncomfortable. This will stretch your imagination.

~ Learn more about publishers, literary agents, marketing firms, branding agencies, entrepreneurs, public speakers, and authors that have succeeded. Each day, research what they are doing, so you can do the same.

~ Control your mind and you will control your emotions. Never make a decision when you mind is clogged with fear, worry, sorrow, or any other negative emotion. Envision your success and learn to improve that vision, so that obstacles and humbling moments will not stop you.

~ Today is a great day, if your mind is in the right place.

Everyday, Improve Ambitions

You must be determined to succeed. For that to occur, you must develop and expand your opportunities. There plenty of opportunities in the publishing industry. Find all of them. Use all them. Improve every aspect of your author career.

~ The more you improve your storytelling and mechanics, the more opportunities you will have.

~ The more relationships you build with readers and those in the publishing industry, the more opportunities you will have.

~ The more books you write, the more opportunities you will have.

~ The more industry research you do, the more opportunities you will have.

~ The more determined you become each day, the more opportunities you will have.

Everyday, Improve Physically

Becoming a successful author will not matter if you are not around to enjoy the rewards of success. If you are a full-time author, then you will spend 80% of your day on your butt.

~ Exercise everyday and improve with each workout.

~ Stretch several times a day.

~ Improve your eating habits.

~ Research healthy snacks to eat while you write.

~ Read several books on improving your health.

Everyday, Improve Spiritually

Only you know the best ways to strengthen your spirit. Whether you read the bible, pray, meditate, play a board game with the family, join a Yoga class, gaze at sunsets, or volunteer, your author spirit must remain strong.

If your author spirit is broken, then your author dreams will become broken as well. Find ways to enjoy, simplify, and relax. When humbling moments arrive, a strong author spirit will overcome your difficulties.

Make it your daily routine to improve your mind, improve your ambitions, improve physically, and improve your author spirit. When you keep looking forward, while taking actions to improve every aspect of your life and author career, then you have mapped out your path for never-ending success…

Ron Knight

Six principles of Untraditional Publishing: Confidence, Knowledge, Self-Discovery, Experience, Relationship Marketing, and Sales. Excel in these areas and you will have a successful author career. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

Basic Office Supplies: Pencils, pens, printer paper, ink, notebooks, paper clips, staples, etc… Do not write off your kid’s schools supplies.

Office Equipment: Laptop, computer, printer, fax machine, flash-drive.

Postage: Stamps, shipping, shipping supplies.

Research: Magazines, books, dictionaries, thesaurus, trade subscriptions.

Production: Software, music, book trailers, graphics, illustrations.

Subscription: This should be a biggie! All those books you are buying from other authors, Amazon, and bookstores are write-offs. Reading books is directly related to whether or not you will be successful. (And profitable.)

Phone Line: Whatever phone is your “Author Line.” For most authors, it is their cell phone. (Not your spouse’s cell phone.)

Internet: Includes anything you spend on websites, web marketing, online advertising and promotions, web hosting, blogs, monthly fees.

Mileage: Keep a round-trip log of when you drive to meetings that are directly related to your career. This includes when you see your publisher, agent, manager, speaking engagements, book signings, and all promotional events.

Utilities: You will need the square footage of the house or apartment you live in and the amount of space dedicated to your work. Save all heating/electric bills. A percentage will be written off.

Rent/Mortgage: Same as utilities, you will need the square footage of where you live and office space. A percentage will be written off.

Upkeep: Lawn service if you work at home, paint your office, install new bookshelves, light fixtures, etc…

Health Insurance: If you are a full-time writer, then probably you are paying for your own health insurance. Keep a record of all doctor visits. Your pharmacist will print out what you paid in prescriptions for the year, which makes it easy. Keep a round trip mileage record to the doctor’s office, separate from your author’s log.

Advertising: Ad in the paper, billboard, Internet promotions, or signs that you stick on your front lawn.

Meal Expense: Be careful with this one. Only use if the meal was necessary, in conjunction with your traveling to an event or meeting. If you were going to eat anyway, then it does not count. If you buy your agent lunch, it is a write-off. (Although, your agent should be buying you lunch!)

Gifts to Charities: Monetary donations, books that you donated to libraries, schools, events, charitable organizations. Good example is a gift basket.

Education: Any classes you take on writing, PR, marketing, bookkeeping, etc…

Publishing Charges: Anything you pay a publisher, agent, marketing agency, or book manufacturer.

Business Attire: The outfit you purchased for your award ceremony, new clothes for events, interviews, or photo shoots.

Always check with your accountant or tax advisor for more advice.

Here is something else to think about. You have three years to make money as an author. After that, the IRS will look at your career as a hobby. It should motivate you to sell those books!

Ron Knight

Need more advice? Check out Untraditional Publishing. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

It is so important for authors to learn how to give themselves a pep talk. After all, being an author is a lonely job. You read on your own. You write on your own. You research on your own. You write blogs on your own. You do most of the marketing on your own.

To overcome negative thoughts and humbling moments, write down every time someone gives you a compliment. Your list may start with one line, then two, and three. Before you know it, you will have pages filled with flattering remarks. Whenever you feel down, you can refer to those compliments and instantly transform your emotions to an author filled with self-confidence.

Here are some places that you may receive a compliment or testimony:

~ Blogs

~ Posts in Social Media

~ Speaking Engagements

~ Events

~ Emails

~ Media Outlets

~ Reviews

~ From other authors, along with family and friends

~ Fans that approach you in the grocery store

Keep a notebook with you and jot down each time someone gives you praise. Then, post those testimonies on your website. This will benefit you in two ways:

~ Whenever you are feeling down, it is a quick reference for you to look over.

~ It build’s credibility when others research you and see a nice list of testimonies on your website.

When you go to my website and click on the Testimonies, you may even see your own name. There are wonderful benefits to writing something nice about someone else:

~ You help others.

~ You receive a little extra promotion.

The path to author success can indeed shred your confidence. When that happens, look at your list of testimonies and compliments, then move forward with a big smile…

Ron Knight

To view an example of a testimony sheet, go to:  http://www.authorronknight.com/testimonials/

For more tips on becoming a successful author, check out: Untraditional Publishing, http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130  

Ron Knight

  

In order to gain experience, I think it is important for you to understand the true feelings of a large traditional publisher, a mid-size traditional publisher, a self-publisher, literary agent, bookstore manager, and the eBook craze. 

You are invited to the Fictitious Writing Conference! Our panel today includes Mr. Big Six, who represents most of the power in publishing. We also have Miss Traditional Publisher, Mr. Self-Publisher, Mrs. Literary Agent, Mr. Chain Bookstore, and Mrs. Author. Thank you all for coming. Let’s open it up for some say-whatever-is-really-on-your-mind-Q&A. 

Knight: “Mr. Big Six, why can’t you consider authors that have talent, marketing, and a true gift for writing, but have yet to make a name for themselves?” 

Mr. Big Six: “It breaks our heart that we no longer instruct our staff to look for the next Stephen King, John Grisham, or Nora Roberts. In fact, we are losing authors to Miss Traditional Publisher, because of our lack of personal touch. Be that as it may, our business model is to sign authors that have an audience of 500,000 or more.” 

Knight: (I look at Miss Traditional Publisher.) “Do you follow the same business model as Mr. Big Six?” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “Not really. The only thing I agree with him is that finding the next great author is just about impossible. We spend $50,000 per year on marketing and publicity for each author. If that author fails, it could set us back several years. Our business model focuses on plucking authors from Mr. Big Six. That way, we are signing authors that are established and have a solid fan base.” 

Knight: “So how does an un-established author breakthrough?” 

Crickets. 

Knight: “Moving on. It seems that Mr. Self-Publisher has a large market of 700,000 authors that are looking for help.” 

Mr. Self-Publisher: “Honestly, most of the books we publish are not good. In our business, the author takes reasonability for everything, including writing a marketable novel. If they do not sell, it is their own fault. On the other hand, where else can authors go? Mr. Big Six will not consider these authors and Miss Traditional Publisher limits their risk of new authors. We provide a service that at least gives the author a chance.” 

Knight: “Let me ask the panel a simple question. If you signed an author, would you actually read their book?” 

Mr. Big Six: “Yes.” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “Yes.” 

Mr. Self-Publisher: “No.” 

Mrs. Literary Agent: “Yes.” 

Mr. Chain Bookstore: “Only if I personally bought the book. Otherwise, no.” 

Mrs. Author: “Yes, I read other authors.” 

Knight: “Mrs. Literary Agent. If breaking into the traditional publishing world is close to impossible, what is your advice to authors that are not signed by an agent?” 

Mrs. Literary Agent: “First of all, I have to be excited about the author’s book. The author and his/her work needs to have a unique voice and the author needs at least some sort of following. Their storytelling and writing mechanics should be polished and the author should have a marketing plan. If that kind of author sends me a query, I’ll find a way to assist them to greatness. And if all fails, we will create an eBook for the author and I’ll take a small piece of each book sold. After a year of consistent sales, I’ll pitch the author again to publishers.” 

Knight: “That sounds great, Mrs. Literary Agent. But what are the chances an author can sign with you?” 

Mrs. Literary Agent: “Of all the submissions my team goes over, I sign about 2% of them.” 

Knight: “How about the rest of you? What are the chances of you signing a new author?” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “.001%.” 

Mr. Big Six: “0%.” 

Mr. Self-Publisher: “100%. That is, if they have the money.” 

(Mr. Chain Bookstore stands up, his cheeks flushed with anger. At first, we did not know what was going on, until Ms. E-Book walked in the door and marched towards the panel.) 

Mr. Chain Bookstore: “What is she doing here?” (He sits back down. Even his neck and arms glow with resentment.) 

Ms. E-Book: “Hey, I have been heading your way for a long time. Are you really shocked that I have showed up like this?” (She takes a seat and joins us.) 

Knight: “Ms. E-Book, you are gaining popularity by the day. In your opinion, why does everyone think you will make a huge impact on the publishing industry?” 

Ms. E-Book: “I’m cheap.” 

Knight: “Excuse me?” 

Ms. E-Book: “Let me explain. I cost less than printing, which saves authors money, and I am attracting new readers.” 

Mrs. Author: “I still do not understand something. If Mr. Big Six will not sign new authors and Miss Traditional Publisher only takes authors from Mr. Big Six, eventually, you both will run out of new books.” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “You are talking about two different issues. First, you want us to sign new authors because it is the right thing to do. I agree. In fact, I miss going through thousands of submissions to find that one great gem. Nevertheless, authors do not understand the basics of our business. It’s not safe for us to sign an unproven author, no matter how good they look.” 

Mrs. Author: “What happens in two years when you cannot pluck anymore established authors from Mr. Big Six?” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “We will adjust the way we sign authors.” 

Mrs. Author: “But I will have found different ways to publish by then. Authors like me won’t be there for you.” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “There will always be authors.” 

Ms. E-Book: “Mr. Big Six and Miss Traditional Publisher are changing their business model to make room for me, but that is taking time. Meanwhile, Mr. Self-Publisher and Mrs. Author are growing strong because they are taking advantage of my ability to sell books.” 

Mr. Chain Bookstore: “Let’s not forget that Ms. E-Book is driving me out of business!” 

Ms. E-Book: “Oh, please. Everyone saw me coming ten years ago. I wasn’t the reason you were late to the party.” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “I have to say something that is bugging me. Mr. Self-Publisher and Ms. E-Book may provide a service to authors, but you should follow the same rules as we do. Not everyone deserves to be published.” 

Mr. Chain Bookstore: “I agree. You cannot trust Mr. Self-Publisher or Ms. E-Book. In fact, I wouldn’t even let Mrs. Author in my store!” 

Mrs. Author: “Listen you moron. There are authors that belong in your stores and some that don’t. But until Mr. Big Six and Miss Traditional Publisher start looking in my direction and stop avoiding eye contact, I have no choice but to hang out with Mr. Self-Publisher and Ms. E-Book.” 

Ms. E-Book: “You tell him, girl!” 

Knight: “Okay, let’s clam down. Mr. Big Six. What is your opinion of Ms. E-Book and Mrs. Author?” 

Crickets. 

Knight: “Well, we need to wrap this up. I just want to ask one simple question for all of you to answer. Here it is. Can you survive without authors? Yes or no?” 

Mr. Big Six: “No.” 

Miss Traditional Publisher: “No.” 

Mr. Self-Publisher: “No.” 

Mr. Chain Bookstore: “No.” 

Ms. E-Book: “No.” 

Mrs. Literary Agent: “No.” 

Mrs. Author: “No.” 

Knight: “I suggest all of you remember that…” 

Thank you for coming. Hope to see you again soon. 

Ron Knight

“UP Authors Promotion Contest!” UP Authors are giving away awards in FIVE different categories! Send in your entry by Monday! www.upauthors.com/events

Untraditional Publishing will show you ways to build Author Confidence, increase your Author Knowledge, provide Author Self-Discovery, help authors gain Experience, and put authors in a position to succeed. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

“The greatest rules of dramatic writing are conflict, conflict, conflict.” ~ James Frey

Your story should be vivid, theatrical, stirring, gripping, full of tension, shocking, while astonishing the reader. In order for that to occur, you need to start your book with conflict.

“Successful authors find ways to build trust with their readers.” ~ Untraditional Publishing

You are going to hear more about relationship building with readers. It means to spend less time and money on advertising, marketing, and public relations. The author needs to spend more time getting to know the reader. This process has launched authors that have been unable to breakthrough the traditional ways of publishing.

“The only reason for being a professional writer is that you just can’t help it.” ~ Leo Rosten

In the twenty years I’ve been an author, I said the words, “I quit,” only once. To this day, I regret saying it. If you were born to be an author, then you really do not have much of a choice.

“The first chapter sells the book. The last chapter sells the next book.” ~ Mickey Spillane

Grip the reader. Hold the reader. Never let go of the reader. Your book should read like it’s going a hundred miles per hour.

“The books of tomorrow are concealed somewhere amongst unpublished manuscripts.” ~ Philip Unwin

Every bestselling author started with an unpublished manuscript. It is amazing to think about all those books in computers and laptops, waiting to be shown to the world. I’m looking forward to reading them.

“There should be at least one outfit that you can put on, which transforms your mind and emotions into Author Mode.” ~ Untraditional Publishing

Save an outfit for your events, book signings, and speaking engagements. Every time you put on that outfit, your confidence should be unshakable.

“Writing is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to those who have none.” ~ Jules Renard

For literary agents and traditional publishers, authors need to adapt to their rules, which is understandable, since authors want to be part of their business. Authors also need to deal with a variety of reviewers, readers, and those with strong opinions on how a book should be written.

 Just remember that talent overrides all…

Ron Knight 

“UP Authors Promotion Contest!” UP Authors are giving away awards in FIVE different categories! This is your chance to Rise UP! www.upauthors.com/events

Untraditional Publishing has over a thousand tips for improving your writing, marketing, and book sales. The first 20 pages are posted for authors to start building their confidence. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

Sure, it will be challenging. That’s why only 2% of authors have comfortable careers and less than 1% are millionaires. Do you want to become part of the elite?

Here is your path. I must warn you, it will seem impossible. (That is, until you decide there is nothing that will get in the way of your dreams.)

Be Everywhere. 

Write 250-word blogs, seven times a week, with topics that help others, especially your target audience. Make five posts a day on as many social media sites as possible. (All posts should concentrate on your audience.) Create a video on YouTube that benefits your target audience. Post the link on your website, blogs, and social media. Create an eNewsletter that benefits your target audience. Schedule as many speaking engagements as possible, with topics that benefit the audience. Go to every networking meeting. Attend events related to your genre.

Let the world see your passion and energy.

Benefit: To succeed in the above plan, you will have to do constant research on your topics, which will transform you into an expert in your genre, along with developing your skills as an author.

Spend Time, Not Money

Traditional publishing houses spend $1,000 to $50,000, investing the funds to promote each author. But these days, relationship building is more important than advertising or public relation campaigns. So now, authors are investing time, which is proving to be more valuable and successful.

Benefit: You will discover untraditional ways of succeeding.

Be Nice

There is a dark side of the publishing world that is full of strong opinions, rejection, rotten attitudes, and blame-games. Since you are an author, you are part of that world. However, you do not have to participate in the ugliness. No matter what, you should be nice.

Benefit: Nice authors earn more money than grouchy authors do.

See It

See the dream before it happens. The roadmap won’t be clear, but your vision will be crystal clear.

Benefit: The best way to overcome obstacles is to look past the obstacles.

Be Confident

Sometimes I tell authors how to stay confident. But in reality, only you can be certain of your talents, gifts, and ideas. Ask yourself this question, “Why is this important?” In fact, ask yourself that question with every decision you make.

Benefit: Confident authors smile and even laugh at rejection, or bad news. (Seriously, they smile or laugh. It’s a wonderful feeling to be that secure in your talent.)

Here are some more tips that will help you become a rich author:

~ Learn something new everyday. This helps with your writing and increases your value to others.

~ You need a great team. It’s start with your family and friends. Later, your team may be a literary agency, or a publisher, or a marketing agency, or a network of authors, or a group that is similar to your genre of writing. Bring value to your team and they will bring value to you.

~ Everything has to look fantastic. This includes your writing, your book covers, your website, your Facebook profile, your blogs, your photo, your attitude, the way you dress, bookmarks, your flyers… (Well, you get the point.)

~ Always head towards your biggest reward. What is the best way to reach ten million readers? A better question is, “Who can you partner with to reach ten million readers?” Is it a professional marketing agency? A top six publisher? Target? Always think about where you are headed and what you need accomplished to arrive at that destination.

~ Take a few risks. I cannot tell you what those risks are, but I know a few of those risks will launch you to stardom.

~ Become a brand. This includes all your identifying marks: your writing style, your philosophy, your approach, and your gift to others. It’s a way for people to take one glance in your direction and know exactly who you are.

~ Seven days a week. Place value on every minute of the day. When will you read? When will you write? When will your work on this plan? Also, place value on creating ideas. Place value on your family. Place value on when you sleep. Place value on your health. Place value on your spirit. Everything is connected when you are an author.

~ Say no. You will begin to lose friends as you plunge into your author career. Some of your friends won’t understand your dream, so they fade away. Your time is limited. You need to do the most important things each day. That means saying “no” to going out partying, or saying “no” to that dinner invitation, or saying “no” to that daily Starbucks visit.

~ Reach beyond your comfort zone. Do not ever think you are limited to one genre, or one book series, or limited to just fiction. The more you learn and the more you stretch your gift, the more rewards will come your way.

~ Always have a plan. Think about what you will do tomorrow. Then think about what you will do in the next month. The next four months. The next year. The next five years. Of course your plans will change, but you still need a roadmap to head in a certain direction.

~ Study the changing world: Markets, technology, publishing industry trends, reader trends, etc…

~ Watch the experts. If James Patterson and John Grisham suddenly switch gears and release a book series for tweens, then you know what is hot in the market. Look in the bookstore and gaze at the shelves. What do you see?

~ Exhaust all possibilities. After trying everything, you will become limited to which way you should go. Look at those limited options as useful. With no other ways to go, how can you go wrong?

~ You can never know enough. The more you know, the more value you are to others. The more value you are to others, the opportunities you will have. The more opportunities you have, the more money you will make.

A perfect way to fail is to say things like, “I don’t have time for this.” Or, “How can I do all that and still write books?”

I’m going to stop, because this blog is 1,176 words long and it should have been 250 words. My suggestion is for you to roll up your sleeves and get started.

Ron Knight

“UP Authors Promotion Contest!” UP Authors are giving away awards in FIVE different categories! Only eight more days to enter! www.upauthors.com/events

Untraditional Publishing will show you ways to build Author Confidence, increase your Author Knowledge, provide Author Self-Discovery, help authors gain Experience, and put authors in a position to succeed. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

Some other words you may use to describe the process can be annoying, wearisome, even a bit maddening.

It’s really a bad news, good news situation. The bad news is that authors usually start out broke. The good news is that one-day an author “breaks through” and ends up with enough money to have a nice career.

What is the solution? Review these definitions:

Constant “Faithful, dependable.”

Consist “Be composed. Having the ingredients or essentials.”

Consistent “Well-matched, or in harmony with others.”

If in everything you do as an author, you are faithful, dependable, composed, having the essentials, well-matched, and in harmony with others, then you will be extremely valuable to literary agents, publishers, and readers.

Being consistent for a month, or even a year may not show much of a payoff. Nevertheless, if you ask any author that has succeeded, they will tell you to, “Never give up. Just keep at it.”

In other words, be consistent.

If you deliver a consistent message that benefits your target audience, and you are consistent in improving your writing mechanics and storytelling, with a consistent writing style so readers know what to expect, and consistent in building relationships, opportunities will begin to shift your way.

Consistent Books

It can be difficult for an author that has written less than five books to be consistent at anything. Your writing style will change drastically with each new book. In fact, you will notice that your writing at the end of the book is much better than the beginning. That’s because you are improving that quick.

And it’s why you should stay consistent and keep writing.

Consistent Reading

I feel you should read more than you write, but I seem to be alone with that kind of thinking. However, I can say with the utmost confidence that if you do not have a consistent reading schedule, then you will not improve as an author.

Consistent Paper Marketing

This mainly includes your bookmarks and flyers. Over time, people should know who you are at a glance, because your artwork and message on your paper marketing has become recognizable.

Consistent Blogs

You may not feel your blogs are gaining steam, but if you stay consistent in reaching your audience, then the payoff will arrive. If you talk about yourself and give updates on your blogs, you will not gain as much momentum as if you used the time to benefit your target readers.

Consistent Social Media

Every post is another opportunity to gain a new reader. Think I’m exaggerating? Did you know that people can find you on Twitter based on the content in your profile and the content in your Tweets?

Look at our last five posts on Facebook. Do those posts benefit your target reader?

Consistent Photo

This works especially for blogs and social media. If you have the same photo connected with your posts, people will begin to recognize you, which is important, considering the amount of blogs and posts that show up on a daily basis.

Here are some other words you can associate with “Consistent”:

Reliable

Steady

Unwavering

Certain

Lasting

Big breaks are given to authors that are able to live their dream each day, while heading toward a larger reward down the road…

Ron Knight

“UP Authors Promotion Contest!” UP Authors are giving away awards in FIVE different categories! This is your chance to Rise UP! www.upauthors.com/events

Untraditional Publishing has over a thousand tips for improving your writing, building readers, and creating book sales! http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight

  

“If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.” ~ Edgar Rice Burroughs

“Your books should be personalized for your readers.” ~ Untraditional Publishing

“Give me a man or woman who has read thousands of books and you give me an interesting companion.” ~ Anne Rice

“There’s no such thing as writers block. That was invented by people inCaliforniawho couldn’t write.” ~ Terry Pratchett

“UP Authors Promotion Contest!” UP Authors are giving away awards in FIVE different categories! This is your chance to Rise UP! www.upauthors.com/events

Untraditional Publishing: The Third Option http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92130

Ron Knight