events
An Overview of Awards for Independent Authors—Spring 2012
January 10, 2012You’ve worked day and night writing, editing, promoting, and selling your book—isn’t it about time you received a little recognition? We think so! That’s why we’ve gathered some of the best upcoming industry awards for independent authors here on the Big Bad Book Blog.
Awards are a great way to gain recognition and visibility, and they just might boost sales and confidence, too. Best of luck! And remember: It’s never too early to start reorganizing the mantel to make room for your many imminent awards.
Foreword Reviews, Book of the Year Awards
Deadline: January 15
Genre: All
Foreword Review, one of the industry’s foremost independent reviews, identifies the previous year’s best independently published books. According to Foreword, the awards are “reviewed by librarians and booksellers as an important statement about a title they might have overlooked,” so it’s definitely worth the effort to enter. Note that there is a $99 entry fee, but that could all be gained back with the $1,500 prize. But hurry—the deadline is January 15.
Deadline: January 15 (extended from December 31)
Genre: All
The Benjamin Franklin Awards, administered by the Independent Book Publishers Association, is one of the more highly regarded awards in the indie world. Winners are recognized at an IBPA gala, and receive an engraved crystal trophy and publicity on the IBPA page. There’s another bonus to entering as well: The judges of the Benjamin Franklin Awards give every entrant personalized feedback and recommendations for their titles.
Deadline: January 21
Genre: All (For a more specific list of eligible categories, visit this link.)
Another great award with an upcoming deadline is the Eric Hoffer Award for Independent Books. This award, named after American philosopher Eric Hoffer, honors authors whose work has been published with independent, small, academic or self-publishing presses. The grand prizewinner receives $2,000, and the award is covered in the US Review of Books.
Independent Publisher Book Awards
Deadline: March 21
Genre: All
The “IPPY” awards are in their sixteenth year of recognizing independent talent. The group offers a number of awards in a breathtaking amount of categories (72!) as well as regional, and ebook-specific awards. In addition to the regular IPPY awards, the group also names “Outstanding Books of the Year.”
The National Indie Excellence Book Awards
Deadline: April 10
Genre: All
Submissions for the National Indie Excellence Book Awards are now open for independent and self-published books; pieces published between 2009 and 2012 are eligible. Prizes are sponsored packages—everything from mobile marketing to event management services to electronic press kits—designed to continue your book’s sales journey after the award.
Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
Deadline: First Round—March 31; Final—August 31
Genre: Children’s, Middlegrade, Young Adult
This award, sponsored by the Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher Magazine, seeks to honor children’s book authors, illustrators, and publishers. The award is given in a number of age- and genre-appropriate categories. Every winning author receives a medal, a certificate, and 20 sample seals for their books.
There are a slew of awards out there, so if you know of any prestigious independent book awards with spring deadlines that we’ve missed, let us know in the comments!
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Read a Few Thousand Good Books Lately?
June 20, 2011Today's post is by Brian Feinblum, the chief marketing officer for Planned Television Arts, who has been promoting and marketing authors since 1989. You can reach him at feinblumb@plannedtvarts.com or catch his blog at http://www.bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com.
Imagine being sequestered somewhere for about a year, getting paid to do what you may love the most: read books. Lots of them. Every day. Nonstop. A marathon of books, books, and more books. Could you do it?
The equivalent in sports-watching is taking place right now. Major League Baseball, in its infinite marketing wisdom, is paying two guys to watch baseball day and night throughout the season. They will watch 2,450 regular season games and then the playoffs and World Series. They are on display to the public—you can go to their first-floor “fan cave” in a space formerly famous for occupying the original Tower Records on East 4th Street in Manhattan.
Besides watching games, the two superfans film a reality show that airs on www.MLB.com. These unabashed baseball addicts interest me because they call into question the old adage about too much of a good thing. I wonder, after it’s all done, will they’ll ever want to watch another game? Or will they come away as addicted as ever?
Can publishing sponsor some gimmick like this? Could Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, or Macmillan pay someone to read books by its best authors, nonstop? Would Amazon sponsor a read-a-thon to highlight the readings of its best customers? Should Barnes & Noble pay someone to read as many books on its Nook as possible over the summer? Maybe someone wants to set a Guinness World Record for most books read and blogged about in one month?
The writing profession does get its due—there are many book and author awards out there. There are a number of best-seller lists one can make. There’s attention drawn to a book by reviewers and bloggers. There are public book signings. And there is countless coverage on social networking sites. But maybe the industry, as a whole, needs some fanfare. It’s been a rough few years for traditional publishing, considering layoffs, consolidations, shrinking sales, and store closings.
It’s time to celebrate the profession and art of writing. Go buy a book—or read one.
Or a few thousand of them.
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Can't Make it to SXSW? Check out this video of the PubCamp conference!
March 14, 2011The SXSW PubCamp conference and party took place on Friday, and if you'd like to see what you missed, you can watch the recorded version of the event. The conference was aimed at examining the intersection between readers, writers and technology, and some of the sessions included a Publisher's Weekly panel and speakers from Condé Nast.
At SXSW you can usually expect out-of-the-box talks about new technology, industry changes, and innovative solutions. PubCamp’s content was mostly business-as-usual, though there were some great nuggets of wisdom to be had--it's always good to hear what people are buzzing about. Check out the video yourself and let us know what you think!
A Good Reason to Read Some Seuss!
March 2, 2011Today is National Read Across America Day in celebration of the great American children's book author Theodor Seuss Geisel--"Dr. Seuss". The National Education Association's Read Across America program is a year-round push to inspire and motivate children and communities to read. In that spirit, we've listed a few staff picks for our favorite Dr. Seuss books. Leave us a comment with your favorite!
Nate- I Had Trouble Getting to Solla Sollew
Tanya, Katelynn & Jenn- Oh the Places You'll Go!
Andrea & Bill- Green Eggs and Ham
Katie- The Butter Battle Book
Wendy- On Beyond Zebra!
Jay & Heather- The Lorax
Sheila- The Cat in the Hat
Kim- Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories
Brian P.- There's a Wocket in My Pocket!
For more on Dr. Seuss and National Read Across America Day, check out this video.
Recap of the 2010 Writers’ League of Texas Agents Conference
June 29, 2010This past weekend, three staff members from Greenleaf Book Group participated in panels and discussions at the 2010 Writers’ League of Texas Agents Conference. Many lively conversations took place at the conference, providing aspiring authors, publishers, and other industry professionals with tips and insights into writing, book marketing, and the world of publishing.
Greenleaf editor Bill Crawford sat on a panel titled “Editor Q&A: The View From Inside a Publishing House.” The panel focused on the changing world of the editorial process. One major change affecting authors, the panelists said, is the limited editorial staff available at most houses. More often than not, publishers at major houses are encouraging authors to put their work through several high- and low-level edits prior to submission. Many editors encouraged authors to hire their own editors to polish their work—as long as they make sure the editors are qualified and reasonably priced.
According to Bill, editors are positive about the new media change: “No one knows where it is going, but everyone agrees it is all about the content.” Audience members were also interested in alternative publishing models, like Greenleaf’s, especially in terms of finding sponsors to support projects.
Greenleaf’s Business Development Manager, Tanya Hall, participated in the panel “Big House, Little House: What Type of Publisher is Right For You?” The panel discussed the many publishing options available to authors and how to assess which model fits the author’s needs. Tanya emphasized a few important takeaways for authors:
- A good agent will help determine the best match for your manuscript in terms of the size of the publisher, the amount of attention you’ll get from the publisher, and the types of books the publisher has been successful with. It’s a good idea to ask a potential agent these questions before signing on with the agent.
- Neither big houses nor little houses are automatically the best option—good publishers and bad publishers come in all sizes. Do your research before signing a contract with any house.
- A strong sales history with a reputable small press can serve as a stepping-stone towards a bigger house.
- Don’t be afraid to ask successful authors in your genre to recommend agents and editors.
I had the privilege of moderating two panels on social media and marketing as well as attending a very impressive keynote luncheon. The first panel I moderated was called “Why It’s Never Too Early to Start Thinking About PR.” The main point from the panel was that aspiring authors need to start engaging their platform now, even before a publisher acquires their book. Lisa Lawrence of LL PR Media and Public Relations shared three things to consider before you start marketing:
- Know how you can position yourself as an expert. It’s important to do a self-analysis to know your strengths and how you can leverage them.
- Know your audience and tailor your message accordingly.
- Identify your key message(s) and stick to it (or them).
Marilyn Carter, a freelance marketing and communications expert, also brought up a good point regarding marketing. She suggests that authors not focus solely on traditional media sources such as journalists and reporters, but also on other outlets such as individuals, organizations, and other non-media outlets. Such outlets provide unique opportunities to engage with your audience. Jennifer Hill Robenalt of Robin Hill Media stressed the importance of incorporating video into author marketing efforts. Not only is video a quickly and easily consumed media stream—it’s also a great way to demonstrate your speaking and interview skills to potential media outlets and event coordinators.
The second panel I moderated was called “Social Media: How to Make It Work for You—Rather Than You Working for It.” Rusty Shelton of Shelton Interactive, started the conversation by stating, “Social media is more about what you’re saying than where you are saying it. It’s so important to set yourself as a resource online and to think about what value you can bring to people about a specific topic.” Jennifer Hill emphasized that consistency—not necessarily quantity—is key.
BookRix US representative Scott Allen likened social media to more traditional forms of communication, saying, “It’s just another communications tool, and you use it just like you would the phone or mail.” He also advised authors to make sure that the content they post is appropriate for the context or medium used. What works on Twitter does not work on LinkedIn and vice versa. Panelists also stressed that social media is a two-way street—in other words, authors should not look at it as a billboard, but as a way of starting a conversation with people who are interested in your topic.
Lynn Reardon, author of Beyond the Homestretch, stressed the importance of being natural and conversational in the social media setting. As an author, she built an impressive social media following and platform without purposefully implementing a marketing strategy. Her approach entailed simply commenting on things of interest to her and that were also relevant to the topic of her book. All panelists agreed that authors should test to see what works best for them and be realistic about their time restraints, only committing themselves to efforts they know they can manage.
The keynote speech delivered by Calvert Morgan, editorial director at Harper Perennial, not only provided a witty and poignant look at the state of the publishing industry, but also gave authors insight as to what they can do to build their careers. Morgan acknowledged the tendency of publishers to pursue big hits rather than sustainable growth and likened the process to a cross between “a venture capitalist and a drunken gambler” throwing all of his or her money at a dream. He also recognized the challenges facing the industry, saying, “We have secured the storm windows and built an ark in the shape of an iPad.”
In addition to his satirical observations, Morgan offered authors a list of the ten things they need to find in order to build their careers:
- Find time to write: Authors should “turn it into a bad habit.”
- Find the off button on your television: Eliminate distractions.
- Find your way to a good bookstore: Connect with readers, booksellers, and see what’s selling in your genre.
- Find a new writer who impresses you and do it over and over: Move beyond the bestsellers to discover other great voices.
- Find a way to understand why that writer inspires you: Learn the techniques they use to communicate.
- Find a reader you can trust: Not your mom or your spouse, but a critical and constructive source.
- Find a community both online and off: Engage with your audience.
- Find an agent or publisher who believes in you: They should advocate for you.
- Find an editor who understands you: Make sure it is someone you can work with and who gets your voice.
10. Find patience and be helpful to others: Publishing is a collaborative process—treat it like a partnership.
Overall, the conference provided many great tips, plus opportunities for authors and publishing professionals to engage in open and honest dialogue. The biggest takeaway by far is that, yes, the industry is changing—but that doesn’t mean doom and gloom for the printed word. In fact, it represents opportunity for those authors and publishers who are able to adapt and who continue to produce superior content.
Online Registration for BookExpo America 2010 Now Open
January 18, 2010
Every year, publishers, authors, and other book industry folks gather at BookExpo America, or BEA. The largest publishing trade show in North America, BEA will feature 500+ authors, 1,500 exhibitors, hundreds of exciting upcoming titles, and a chance to get in on the latest and greatest in the book world.
This year, BEA will again be held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York but has been reconfigured to a three-day, mid-week event, with the conference and special events held on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, and the show and conference taking place on May 26 and 27. Online registration is now open; check out BEA’s website for tons of information on the event.
If you can’t make it to BEA this year, then you might check the American Booksellers Association’s website to see if there is a regional trade show in your area. Most regional trade shows take place in the fall, so you have plenty of time to make your plans.
Big Bad Weekly Tip: The First Self-Publishing Book Expo is Coming
October 13, 2009
Self-published books and authors will finally have the spotlight at the first annual Self-Publishing Book Expo (SPBE) in New York City. Featuring an appearance by our very own Tanya Hall, the SPBE will be a great learning and networking opportunity if you live near New York City or have been thinking of taking a trip to the Big Apple.
Open to the public, the SPBE will offer authors a unique opportunity to exhibit and sell their books. Authors and attendees will also have a chance to get expert advice on a wide variety of topics from publishing experts and industry veterans, through a series of panels, lectures and discussions scheduled throughout the day. In addition to the general public, editors, publishers, literary agents, and members of the media are expected to attend the event, all looking for hidden gems and great stories that may otherwise be under their radar.
The SPBE will be held in New York City on Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. To register, or for more information, visit www.selfpubbookexpo.com.
ALSO ON THE RADAR: Author 101 University is taking place in Las Vegas on October 30-31, 2009 at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino.
Introducing the Big Bad Story Contest!
August 26, 2009 We
're excited to announce the Big Bad Story Contest, a new program that will give promising high school students in the Austin community a chance to become published authors. We'll be inviting schools within the Austin city limits to submit their top essays and short stories composed by students in 9th–12th grades for consideration in the contest. Each school will identify two finalists, and from these finalists our editors will select several stories and essays to be published in an anthology of young voices, which will be made available in retail outlets.
The contest officially begins in January 2010, and submissions to the contest must be submitted to Greenleaf Book Group on or by March 29, 2010. Submissions must be less than 5,000 words.
The contest is designed to get young people writing creatively—and give the winners the first taste of being published (and a credit that could help them as they look toward college.) We'll be donating a portion of the profit from sales of the anthology to a local non-profit organization, to be determined by the start of the contest. Interested schools and non-profits should contact Chris McRay at chris@greenleafbookgroup.com or 512.891.6100.
Greenleaf's Tanya Hall Explains Publishing Options for Authors
August 19, 2009
On Wednesday, August 26, our own Tanya Hall will be hosting a webinar for Write Well University and AuthorSmart called Introduction to Publishing Options—Which Approach is Right For You? Here's a description of Tanya's session from WriteWellU.com:
This class will cover the basic publishing options available to authors along with the pros and cons of each. We'll discuss how different types of projects can benefit from different publishing strategies and which approaches are appropriate for certain types of authors/books. Between traditional publishing, POD publishing, eBooks, and hybrid models this class will help you cut through the confusion and make the best business decision to launch your book.
Registration is $10, which includes audio recordings and handouts. Click here to register for the class. You can find out more about Write Well U's programs by visiting them on their website, Facebook, or Twitter.
At Greenleaf Book Group, Tanya divides her time between seeking out and working with authors to develop their publishing programs and handling a range of initiatives that don't fall neatly into other departments, including Greenleaf Book Group's foreign rights program. Prior to her current role, she led Greenleaf's distribution department and worked directly with retailers and wholesalers to list and sell books. Before joining the publishing industry, Tanya worked as a television producer for various television shows and networks, including Extra! and E! Cable Networks.
Introducing Austin Publishing University
July 21, 2009
We're teaming up with independent bookselling superstars BookPeople this August for the first-ever Austin Publishing University, a seminar series for authors and aspiring authors on how to get your book published efficiently and profitably.
If you're in the central Texas area, we'd love to have you join us on the first four Sundays in August at BookPeople (603 N. Lamar, Austin, Texas). Sessions cost $15 each or $45 for all four. Attendance is limited to 60 people per session. To reserve a seat call (512) 472-5050 or visit BookPeople.
It's going to be a fun, educational event—one we hope will untangle some of the complexities of getting a book produced, distributed, and marketed, as well as answer any questions on the publishing industry attendees have, whether basic or advanced. Be sure to visit our Facebook page, and if you're the Twittering type, you can tweet about Austin Publishing University with the hashtag #apu09.
Descriptions of the four sessions of APU after the jump.
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SESSION 1 – Ins & Outs: The Industry Overview
Sunday, August 2, 2009 1:00 – 2:30 pm
The publishing industry presents many business models for authors, each with its own set of pros and cons. This class will walk you through the industry and give you the tools you need to choose the best path for your project. Plus, you will gain a basic understanding of what it takes to successfully create and market content in the retail marketplace. Learn the ins and outs of traditional publishing, self-publishing, print-on-demand publishing, and hybrid models—and how to avoid publishing pitfalls along the way.
SESSION 2 – Hot Topic: Content is King
Sunday, August 9, 2009 1:00 – 2:30 pm
So you know you want to write a book, but the blank page is glaring at you and you just don’t know how to begin. Come learn some useful techniques for structuring the writing process, getting past the terrifying first blank page, and presenting your ideas in a compelling and engaging manner.
SESSION 3 – Killer Covers: Boosting Sales by Design
Sunday, August 16, 2009 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Book jackets serve a number of purposes that are essential to the success of your book. This class will teach you how to make informed decisions about your covers by examining a variety of topics including genre appropriateness, the role of research, concept and tone, using photography and/or illustration, branding a series, endorsements, author photos, printing technology, retail durability, Amazon thumbnails, and design trends. We will closely analyze examples of various cover designs including award winning work.
SESSION 4 – Storming the Market: Online, On the Air, and On the Shelves
Sunday, August 23, 2009 1:00 – 2:30 pm
As the old saying goes, it’s easy to write a book: Selling it is hard. This class will discuss how effective marketing strategies, combined with traditional publicity and new media, come together to create a successful book launch. We will review the basic timeline that you should follow, describing what to do before, during, and after your publishing date. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to get the perspective of veteran publishers and retailers from both us at Greenleaf Book Group and BookPeople.
For more information about BookPeople, visit their site, or check out the fantastic interview they gave us a few months ago.