Writers Cafe - Upcoming Peter Bowerman Interview - What Do YOU Want Me To Ask Him - I Need Your Questions
It’s a Writers Cafe with a difference. Gather together any questions you have for Well Fed Writer & Well Fed Self Publisher author, Peter Bowerman, coming soon to a Writers Cafe near you.
I’ve just read Peter Bowerman’s latest book - The Well Fed Self Publisher: How To Turn One Book Into A Full Time Living. I know a lot of you want to, are writing or have written books, reports, ebooks and so on - self publishing or mainstream.
Peter Bowerman is an inspiration. I was so motivated after reading this book. The good news is that Peter has agreed to be interviewed for an upcoming Writers Cafe. I’m throwing it open, so I can ask some of the questions YOU want answered. Let me know what you want to know about writing, self publishing, marketing and publicizing your book.
I thought we could use this weekend’s Writers Cafe to talk self publishing and writing and to gather your questions for my interview… We can discuss them here, but I’ll get Peter’s perspective as well.
The Well Fed Writer and The Well Fed Writer: Back Again For Seconds.
I was approached to review The Well Fed Self Publisher and heard from Peter. His approach is a recipe that has been perfected and works well. I learned a lot just from how he conducted the book review process. This is all outlined in the book, so it was interesting to see it in action.
Communication & Co-ordination
- Communication was friendly, personalized but to the point with publicity information
- He invited further contact if he could help further
- He emailed a copy of the book ahead of mailing out the hard copy
- He exceeded expectations by emailing me his Well Fed Self Publishing Biz In A Box Ebook as well as the book
- He told me exactly when he would be posting the book so I knew roughly when to expect it
Receiving The Review Copy of The Well Fed Self Publisher
- Used flat rate mailing envelope
- Used brightly mailing label with his book pictured, website details and a space for addressee
- Very savvy - Mailing label clearly states “As requested”, to jog your memory if you get lots of books to review
- Contained the Well Fed Self Publisher
- Stamped Review Copy Not For Sale - Book Personally Autographed
- Included 3 Business Cards (marketing tools in themselves - well designed with book information on the reverse)
- Included a Press Kit (flyers, press release, business cards & a personalized note inserted into book cover of a previous book)
Now To The Book
As well as the process above, he covers
- Why Self Publshing?
- Learning To Love Sales & Marketing
- How To Build A Book
- Targeting Buyers & Building Demand
- Your Website
- Getting Books Into & Dealing With Bookstores
- Hacking Through The Amazon Jungle
- Publicity & Marketing Opportunities (various chapters)
- Print On Demand
- Using The Book As A Platform For Other Spin Off Products, Ebooks, Workshops etc.
- Self Publishing Resources
- Foreign Rights
While the book is packed solid with great, practical information, Bowerman’s writing style is engaging and lighthearted, with lots of practical examples - a good combination. As a (now ex) bookseller, I used to have a set against self published books as they just didn’t look professional… and please don’t get me started on the lack of editing.
Now in the process of writing a book myself, I’ve become a fan of self publishing as a viable option. This book offers more information than many mainstream books on a similar topic, and is professionallly edited, typeset and presented. For the marketing aspects alone, I can highly recommend The Well Fed Self Publisher.
A Stroke Of Brilliance
A stroke of brilliance in The Well Fed Self Publisher is a symbol on various pages which directs readers to Well Fed Self Publishing Biz In A Box. (available in hard copy, ebook or CD). The information stands on its own, but for the forms and materials that go with it, you go to the Biz In A Box.
This is a separate book, so is an extra sale for the author, by sharing materials he already had developed and uses. Peter already had all his marketing materials, forms, biz card tips, promo materials, book blurbs, pitch letters, discount vouchers, review copy mailouts and email templates etc. etc..
Both these books are must haves for anyone serious about self publishing.
Well, questions anyone? Fire away….
Hello Yvonne & Everybody,
Yvonne, thanks for a really kind review. Glad you enjoyed it so much!
Delighted to be here on Grow Your Writing Business. Hope to generate a lively discussion on the subject of self-publishing. The subject is a hot one these days as more and more authors are starting to realize, 1) how hard it is to land a publisher, 2) how much easier the Internet has made the process of self-publishing, 3) how lame the conventional publishing model actually is in most cases: anemic royalties, 18-24 months to publication, loss of creative control, and loss of book rights.
And even after giving up all that, authors who HAVE been given the keys to “The Publishing Kingdom” then discover, to their dismay, how much of their own book marketing they have to do themselves - and usually for a buck a book or less!
With that paradigm, many are understandably saying, hey, if I’m going to have to do most of the work myself anyway, I might as well be making most of the money!
I wish you all the best on your own self-publishing journeys. Know that there are plenty of tools out there (including a few of my own at http://www.wellfedsp.com).
Peter
I’d simply ask… would he turn his book into an affiliate program?
Mig’s last blog post..Hakia Is Still Behind Pigeons
Hey there,
Love the blog.
As for Bowerman, an answer to the above question: I believe it is already an affiliate program. Check out his web site for more.
I’m not sure if I have any questions for him at this point, but I would say that his books are among the most useful I’ve ever read in terms of practical information for really doing well in the writing business. Where some books that promise the key to six-figure writing salaries and offer such gems as, “If you’re writing a speech for someone and you know they spit a lot when they talk, avoid certain words,” or “Network,” Bowerman offers real examples, real samples, and real information that you can take into the real world.
I was laid off from a newspaper three years ago, and soon afterward, I got a copy of his first book. That first year as a freelancer, I made the same salary I was making as a salaried journalist. The second year, I was making $20,000 more than I was at the paper, and this year I’m on track to add another $15,000 on top of that. I don’t attribute it all to him, but definitely some of it. (And no, I’m not a publicist for him . . .)
Yvonne - love your blog, and am really looking forward to hearing about your interview with Mr. Well-Fed. Like many other freelancers, his books were huge in helping me launch my own business two years ago.
To confirm, yes he does have an affiliate program, which I’ve used on my site under “Books Every Freelancer Should Own” (www.workingwriterhappywriter.com).
Also, I’m going to link back to your request here - I know lots of my readers are also huge PB fans, and will have questions. Plus, you’ve got some excellent info here that’ll help them as they build thriving writing businesses of their own. Thanks! http://buildathrivingwritingbusiness.blogspot.com/
This new book sounds great. I´ve actually not read anything by Peter, but I´ve definitely heard a lot about him. Looking forward to the interview!
Hi Peter
Welcome to Grow Your Writing Business. The marketing part is interesting as many writers are not comfortable with this. The book has some great tips on this.
Thanks for stopping by… look forward to the interview.
Hi Mig
Apparently he does have one. Maybe I should join it.
Hi Jon
Thanks for your kind words about my blog. Thanks also for your insights about how you found the books useful.
It’s good to hear about your success sparked by the book and all your own hard work.
That’s the thing isn’t it. No book is an absolute recipe nor is it intended to be. It provides a jumping off point for you to tweak to your own situation and refine over time.
Great to hear your success story.
Hi Sue
Thanks for referring your readers to this post. How about you? Feel free to add your own questions for Peter Bowerman if you have something you’d like to ask.
Hi Genesis
I think you’d enjoy the book and find it useful. It gives lots of ideas of how you can use your book to promote other related things like workshops, ebooks etc. - lots of practical ideas and promotion tips.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the kind words! Jon, delighted that my books made a difference for when making the transition from journalism to commercial freelancing. And you’re right: YOU did it. I only had a tiny role to play.
Btw, I’m working on the updated version of The Well-Fed Writer, and have a section on making the transition from journalism to commercial writing. Do you have a comment or two you’d like to offer up to those in a similar situation - perhaps addressing the common issues (i.e., getting past the idea of “commercial” writing as a sell-out, having to adjust to the more promotional tone, etc.) Just email me directly at peter@wellfedwriter.com.
And yes, to all those who asked, I DO have an affiliate program. Click the “Well-Fed Affiliates?” link at either www.wellfedsp.com or www.wellfedwriter.com.
PB
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