We often get questions from prospective authors about what we will do to market their titles. And while even the best publishing company for new authors has a vested interest in selling books, marketing is truly a team sport. We view marketing as a partnership with our authors, and it really doesn’t work any other way. Many times, authors believe that being published is all you need…but there’s way more to it than that. Yes, publishing companies offer wide and broad distribution, making your title available across the internet, to local retailers, and across the world. But bringing the title to life for your specific readers…garnering your specific following and followers (social media, anyone?)…and spending time developing your own personal brand as an author are key to successfully selling your titles. There are lots of ways to skin this cat and simple keyword searches will lead you to easy-to-use website builders with awesome templates that will allow you quickly put up a simple but effective site. As an author, all you need is a voice – and you already have that. Just remember, simple is best. You may already use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for your personal life. If so, it’s not a big leap to create a second presence for your author persona. Register a new email address, keep the content informative, educational, and personal to you and your unique brand, and you will gain followers. All of this is to say that while a publishing company can and should be helping to sell your titles, it doesn’t work without your committed involvement as an author. So get out there and sing your own praises! 

The Independent Book Publishers Association announced the winners of their 2016 Benjamin Franklin Awards this week, recognizing excellence in books published by indies. We're excited to see the great work being produced  across fifty-four categories, including best first book, art and photography, LGBT, history, multicultural, body/mind/spirit and many others. ​We appreciate the high standards set by these publishers and their efforts to create works of value, high quality, and to respect and reward authors and contributors for their work.

As writers, we've all felt the sting of a form letter, or worse, a personalized rejection from publishing companies or agents. You've put so much work into the best query letter that ever existed on this planet or in the entire universe. And yet, you are met with the cold, hard stare of a rejection like:

I'm not connecting enough with this project. 
I’m afraid I’ve decided to pass.  
This is not for me.
We do not feel strongly enough about your project to pursue it further. 
I can only take on projects that spark my passion.

If you have been the recipient of anything like this, you are not alone! And in fact, there's a contest designed just for you - the Twitter feed and website www.litrejections.com is holding their first short story contest for fiction with themes about rejection. Oh, irony, how we love thee...find more info here: http://www.litrejections.com/short-story-prize/

And if you don't already follow them on Twitter @LitRejections, you will be glad you did. There is always an inspirational quote or thought for those who persevere!

Speed writing tips for today, from some of our favorite writers of both fiction, journalism, and business writing. They work for all. Now keep you foot on the pedal and stay above 55 miles per hour:

1. ​Be prepared! This means do your research if you don't know your subject matter by heart.
2. Be patient! Give the writing some space to breathe. Don't try to solve a plot point or character dilemma that isn't evident. Let it lie for a bit and come back later.
3. Keep 'em guessing! No matter the genre, surprises - in action, dialogue, plot, or even tone and point of view - keeps readers wanting to flip the page.
4. Why? Why? Why? - ask the right questions of your characters, of yourself, and of your manuscript. You'll usually get the right answers.
5. Be brief! No one likes a know-it-all or blowhard. Keep your explanations and language simple and to the point.

​Now back on the bus...speed tips are over!

Audiences and readers love a happy ending, don't they? Film studios have gone to great lengths to reshoot endings of films to satisfy test audiences' cravings for happy, satisfying endings. Even best-selling books aren't safe when adapted to film - many a book-to-movie has ended up losing the integrity of a character or a realistic outcome to please the masses. We can appreciate the satisfaction of a love fully realized, a mystery solved, and a treasure finally found. But we also believe that a happy ending doesn't always have to be happy. Something true and meaningful that touches our hearts and rings true to our spirits...those endings are always welcome. Do us a favor and submit your completed manuscript. Now that will make us...well...happy.