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| What do you wonder about book marketing? ♥️ |
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| | Welcome, new Creativity Sparks newsletter subscribers! ♥
Beth Barany here, your guide and creativity coach for writers. An award-winning novelist with three fiction series and five books for writers published, over the last 15+ years, I've helped hundreds of writers like you find success, peace, and satisfaction. ♥
My passion is helping novelists write, revise, and proudly publish to the delight of their readers. ♥
Here we help you build your successful and sustainable fiction author career on your terms. We also focus on actionable resources to help you create the change you desire.
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| | In recent weeks I’ve been talking about the importance of having an email newsletter, at least starting one, even if you’re unpublished. And I asked what questions you had about book marketing.
One person asked me about a good place to come together with other beginning fiction writers and get feedback.
If you're thinking about attending a writer's conference, do your homework and get recommendations.
Coming together live in person with other writers who share your specific interests is one of the best ways to accelerate your learning as a writer. Get support, feel less alone, learn from all those who come before.
Do you have a desire to do a writing retreat or writing conference? What are some of your favorite places to go?
Another option is to take an intensive course in person in your local area. Check your local libraries, indie bookstores, and local writing clubs.
Here in Northern California, we have local California Writers Club meetings, book festivals and book fairs, and specialized conventions starting to open up.
I myself will be teaching overseas in the second half of June teaching two courses, one with the focus on creative entrepreneurship with Shannon Borg, and the other with the focus on creative writing, developing your characters, with my husband Ezra Barany.
I’m looking into attending the Bay Area Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention at the beginning of July: BayCon. (Direct link: https://baycon.org)
Back to Book Marketing... It's All About What You Want
What do you want?
What do you wonder about?
You will find a way.
Learning how to market your books may be a stretch for you, as it was for me, but I have every confidence that if you want to learn how to share your books with the world, you will find a way.
Especially if you focus on what you like and what excites you.
Recently one of my husband‘s colleagues, a fellow high school teacher, published his first book, a wonderful mix of poetry and prose: 3rd & Orange.
For his book marketing, he created a postcard campaign to share and is excited to learn how independent bookstores work with indie authors so he can get his book in front of that audience.
Find A Way That Works For You
The point is find a way that works for you.
Apply creative thinking to the problem, just as you figured out plot and character issues, pacing, beautiful language, etc.
I firmly believe that if you can learn how to write a novel, you can learn how to market your novels.
Let me know your burning questions about book marketing and I will do my best to cover them in the next few weeks.
Sneak Peek: In June, I'll share about the inner game and mindset issues around publishing.
♥
The "I wonder..." Moment
Welcome to the occasional I wonder moment.
Have you ever wondered why English is such a crazy language, with weird spelling rules and exceptions for everything to those rules?
If you have, I've found a great short explainer video for you. Enjoy!
The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling
Have you ever wondered how humans learn?
I am fascinated by how we learn or don’t learn. So I signed up for this free Coursera course and have already gone through week one in about 30 minutes :-) I’m really enjoying it so far and I highly recommend it if you are wondering how humans learn.
Learning How to Learn
I've wondered about story structure for years.
BTW, we teach five of them in our course here.
I recently came across another story structure common in Asia and have been enjoying investigating.
KISHŌTENKETSU: THE FOUR ACT NARRATIVE (OR PLOT WITHOUT CONFLICT)
What story structures have you uncovered that are different from the western hero's journey? |
| | | | | I'll be a speaker at the Midlife Uprising Summit happening next week.
My focus: Finally Starting Your Novel.
A Free Online Event for Women Who are Ready to Make Waves Instead of Fading Away as They Age
May 11 - 13, 2022
More than 30 Speakers will offer strategies, tips and advice to help you get past feeling stuck so you can step into your next chapter with purpose and excitement.
You Don't Have to Stay Stuck. Make Some Waves!
This summit is for you if you want to…
- Stop "acting your age"!
- Create a hopeful vision for your future.
- Make empowered decisions.
- Surround yourself with friends who are cheering you on.
- Explore what's possible as you age.
- Let go of feeling "too old".
- Find the courage inside you to try new things.
Have you ever felt… - Disconnected… from the hopes and dreams of your youth?
- Tired of playing it safe all the time? Of making the same mistakes over and over?
- Fearful about getting old? About trying something new?
- Uninspired -and longing for hope and excitement?
Then sign up here:
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| | May 16-20, 2022 Fiction Marketing Academy -- link coming soon
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Soon, I'll be hosting a Webinar Presentation by Joe Bunting on "Better Book Ideas."
Perfect for aspiring writers, as well as writers who are in the middle of writing their novel or nonfiction book. The webinar will also be helpful for writers in the editing process, as it’s important to figure out exactly what a book is about in order to edit it effectively.
At the end of the webinar, Joe will share an opportunity for writers to join his 100 Day Book, the online course that guides writers through the process of writing a book from idea to the final page.
Date: May 18, 2022 Time: 1 pm Eastern / 12 pm Central / 11 am Mountain / 10 am Pacific
Sign up here:
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| | | June 2022 Write Publish Profit 5.0 -- link coming soon |
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Have a happy and creative week! Happy Writing!
All my best,
Beth
PS. The Page Turner Awards closes in under 1 month!
Receiving an award for your fiction can validate your efforts, offer you recognition from strangers, and be a great feather in your cap for marketing.
I'm a sponsor of this contest (and a former winner!) and am giving away 2 prizes this year: - For published authors: the Branding for Authors course bundle, plus 3 months of one-on-one support
- For unpublished authors: Edit Your Novel course, plus 3 months of coaching and manuscript review.
Get your entries in. The contest closes May 31st.
All the details and how to enter here:
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Ukrainian Refugee Author Resource Fundraiser
A fellow writing colleague, Alana Terry, has organized a collection of courses, ebooks, and downloadable trainings by other writing support professionals, including me, to help you scale up your author career AND help Ukrainian refugees right now. The Successful Writer fundraising bundle includes several thousand dollars worth of resources just for you (with more being added every day as word about our fundraiser spreads!) (You can join in if you have something to offer.)
A bundle of courses, books, resources, and services for authors from experts in the publishing industry.
All proceeds will be donated to International Relief Team, a 501(c)3 supporting Ukrainian refugees, so make a difference today with this fundraising bundle! - Want to learn Amazon ads?
- What about Bookbub ads?
- Need inspiration for writing your novel or completing your manuscript in the next 90 days?
This fundraising bundle is available for a limited time at the price you choose!
That's not the best news, though. The best news is that 100% of the proceeds from this collection will be donated to International Relief Team's Ukrainian refugee relief work.
Please share with your friends. Thank you!
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| I stand for peace and for freedom. I stand with the people of the Ukraine. A great great grandmother was from Odessa, a great great grandfather was from Chernivitsi, both immigrating to the United States in the 1880s. I also have a Russian Jewish great grandfather who immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. And most of my other ancestors were from other parts of Eastern Europe -- the area being most affected by the over 10 million people fleeing the war zone.
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| | | Recent Posts on Writer's Fun Zone blog(Article titles are clickable.)- Why a Good Book Cover is Crucial to Your Publishing Success by Thao Nguyen
- Are You Writing Transgressive Fiction? by Nevada McPherson
- Art Imitates Life by Ann Woodford
- Committing to Your Writer Persona with Genre Novelist, Writing Teacher & Coach Beth Barany (podcast interview)
- Author Q&A with Paul Zeidman, featuring his new book on helping you become a better screenplay writer via lots of engaging interviews
- Your Masters’ Words: Using Copywork to Strengthen Your Craft by LA Bourgeois
- Can I Use a Trademark in My Book? by Kelley Way
- The Best Way to Deliver Your Message: Message in a Bottle (Your Story) by Catharine Bramkamp
- No One Is Buying My Books! Why? by Janelle Riley
- Author Q&A with Denise Dwyer D’Errico (poetry, stories, recipes)
- Tied In Knots: Writing Tie-in Fiction by Bobby Nash
- Are Author Websites Still Necessary in 2022? by Dave Chesson
- Author Q&A with Claire Stibbe (dark, domestic suspense novels)
- Author Q&A with Shannon Lawrence, featuring her book The Business of Short Stories: Writing, Submitting, Publishing, and Marketing
- Author Q&A with Amanda Krill, featuring her book, Feisty & Non-Compliant
- The Power of No by Lisa Towles
** We're taking queries now! Write for us and gain experience and clips, and share your wisdom! ** |
| | | Ready to talk to a writing coach who understands genre fiction?
I am here to help you experience clarity, have a clear road map of your next steps, and be that much closer to delighting your readers.
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| | | | You have been reading the Creativity Sparks Newsletter!
Now in its 16th year, this newsletter is a service of my coaching and consulting business, helping genre fiction writers write, market, and publish their novels to the delight of their readers.
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| ABOUT BETH BARANY
Beth Barany is creativity coach for writers, a teacher, workshop facilitator, and speaker, who helps fiction writers experience clarity, so that they can write and polish their novels, and proudly publish them to the delight of their readers.
Beth speaks to groups locally, online, and internationally. For more details and how to book, go here.
Owner of the Barany School of Fiction, an online training hub, Beth takes great interest in how humans learn, create, and grow, and includes all her students’ life experiences, including the ancestors, into the moment.
Want a course to help you prepare to write your novel? Discover the comprehensive Plan Your Novel course here to help you vision, brainstorm, and plan your next novel. Planning for panthers, who want some structure but no too much. A road map to guide you on your way to writing your novel. By the time you're done with this course, you'll be ready to write because you know where you want to go and are excited by it.
Beth Barany is also an award-winning novelist and writes magical tales of romance, adventure, and mystery to empower women and girls to be the heroes in their own lives.
Uncover her Henrietta The Dragon Slayer series here (YA Fantasy), her Touchstone series here (Fantasy/Paranormal Romance).
beth@bethbarany.com
Barany School of Fiction
Writer's Fun Zone blog
Photo Credit: by c. 2018 Ezra Barany
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| I sit in the territory of Huichin, part of the stolen land of the Chochenyo Muwekma Ohlone, the successors of the historic and sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. |
| | | Here be the legalese: In connection with the operation of this newsletter and business, Creativity Sparks includes affiliate links, including links to Amazon.com (“Affiliate Links”). Barany Consulting earns a commission from the Affiliate Links which commission is based on the number of sales that are made as a result of users of the Newsletter clicking over to the Affiliate Link and purchasing from the Affiliate Link a product and/or service. Thus endth the legalese. |
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