Tag Archives: J’son M. Lee

The Submission Process by J’son M. Lee

For the last few years, I’ve focused on the careers of other authors. I co-authored a project that went on to garner a few awards, and as president and owner of Sweet Georgia Press, I am an editor with a growing client list. During this time, I wrote a few short stories here and there, but never took the time to focus on another novel. I wrote a few chapters, titled the projects, and even created covers for them for my book vision board. But, there never seemed to be enough time to focus on a full-length project. As I reflected on this reality, I came to the conclusion that I needed to invest more in myself. To this end, I picked up Become A Successful Author by Deatri King-Bey. While there were many takeaways from this book, the one that registered most with me was her belief that “…all authors should pursue traditional and self-publishing.”

Aside from a short story that was published in an anthology (1998) by Painted Leaf Press, I’d never submitted for traditional publishing. I realized there was no time like the present. So, for almost a month, I worked with my gal pal, Michelle “Big Body” Cuttino, on my submission package (query, synopsis, and sample chapters). I also connected with an outside consultant who had a database of agents and publishers who agreed to receive e-query proposals. The desired format was very specific. My package was assembled and sent to me for final review. I had my mentor look it over, and she gave great advice. I made more changes, and my query was finally ready for submission…

The consultant advised that many of the responses would be form emails saying the query was not right for their office. He cautioned me to not to get discouraged by these emails as they likely hadn’t read the query, but said no based simply on the genre or word count. He went on to say that I would not receive responses from all the agents as most did not have the ability to respond to every e-query, not even with a form email. Lastly, he advised I would likely receive the bulk of my responses the first week, with others coming in for up to two months. The goal was to have about half a dozen agents who wanted to learn more about my book.

As he predicted, responses began rolling in immediately:

“Not for me-thanks anyway.”

“Thanks, but I’m not the right agent for this.”

“Thanks for the query. I’m sorry but I’m overwhelmed with submissions and this didn’t pique my interest enough to add to my stack of manuscripts. Good luck to you.”

“Thank you for your query, but I’m afraid this project just isn’t right for my list at this time. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but others will surely feel differently and I certainly wish you every success in finding the right agent and publisher for your work.”

“Thank you for your letter. From your description, I don’t believe I’d be the right agent for this project. I’m sorry to have to pass on the opportunity to read your work, and wish you the best of luck. Sincere apologies for not being able to answer more personally; given the volume of queries, it is simply not possible.”

“Thank you so much for querying me and giving me the opportunity to consider your material. I’m afraid, though, that after reading your letter, I just didn’t feel strongly enough to ask for more, and I firmly believe every writer needs an agent who is passionate about his or her work.

Much of this boils down to personal preference, so please bear in mind that what isn’t right for me might be right for another agent. I encourage you to continue querying and working on your next book. I wish you the best of luck and much success with your writing career.”

“Thank you for thinking of me, but I am not a good fit for this.”

“It’s a pass for all of us here, but we do appreciate being included.”

“Not for our market, sorry.”

“Thank you for your query. Having considered it carefully, we have decided that your project is not the right fit for [us], and so we are going to pass at this time. Tastes and specializations vary widely from agent to agent, and another agency may well feel differently. Thank you for thinking of our agency, and we wish you the best of luck in your search for representation.”

“Thank you for letting me review your query. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that we are the appropriate agents to represent this material. In this very competitive market, we are simply not enthusiastic enough about our ability to sell this work to offer you representation. We wish you the best of luck placing this successfully. Thank you, once again, for letting us consider it.”

“Thank you for thinking of me with your query for JUST TRYIN’ TO BE LOVED. While this sounds like a strong project, I’m afraid it doesn’t strike me as a likely fit with me and my particular editorial contacts. I wish you well in finding the right agent for your work.”

Despite all the rejections, I remained positive. It’s important to have thick skin as an author. Always ask yourself if a criticism came from someone to whom you should listen. Whether you agree or disagree, look for ways to learn from what they said. If there’s nothing to learn, discard it. Move on!

Just as quickly as the rejections came in, there came a glimmer of hope:

“Thank you for your interest in our agency. Per [our] guidelines, please send the first ten pages of your manuscript, along with the original query, to this email address with both embedded in the body of the message. Please note that we do not open attachments.”

“Thanks for your recent query, which Jane passed along to me. I’d be happy to take a look at your manuscript. Kindly send it along for my prompt review. A Word attachment is most preferable if possible.”

“We would be happy to read something if you would like to email it to submissions@…… for my attention. Many thanks.”

I didn’t know how to respond. I wanted to make sure I put my best foot forward and not ruin my chances. The consultant said, “Just respond politely with whatever they ask for. They are regular people, only extremely busy. So try and give them exactly what they ask for, exactly the way they ask for it. Do not respond to the nos, you don’t have to worry about them.” Easy enough, right?

So…I responded…I think I’ll read Characters Make Your Story by Maren Elwood while I wait. I’ll keep you posted!

J’son M. Lee (Editor)

See you at www.sweetgeorgiapress.com

If you found this post helpful, please use the SHARE buttons to help your fellow authors.

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for?Become A Successful Author is used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author for only $4.99 (eBook) or $8.99(print) from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble

Romance Slam Jam 2014 by J’son M. Lee

This year marked the 19th anniversary of Romance Slam Jam. Emma Rodgers, Ashira Tosihwe, and the late Francis Ray founded Romance Slam Jam in 1995 in Dallas, Texas. Their goal was to bring writers and readers together to celebrate Black love—and that’s what happened!

This year’s Slam was held in New Orleans, LA, from May 7 – 11. All conference activities were held at the Hilton New Orleans Airport, located in the suburb of Kenner, LA. With clean, comfortable rooms, a quaint courtyard, several onsite eateries, and ample meeting facilities, the hotel was the perfect venue.

The theme of this year’s Slam was Romancing the Big Easy. Since this was my first Slam, I decided to attend the “First Timers to RSJ” workshop, facilitated by Toni Bonita Robinson. Ms. Robinson described the event as a family reunion of sorts where the focus was love. I immediately felt at home.

Romance Slam Jam offered a series of intimate workshops for both writers and readers. There was something for everyone. Since my focus was continuing education to help hone my craft, I migrated towards the writer workshops facilitated by literary greats like Deatri King-Bey (Point of View), Patricia Sargeant (Plotting), Norwood Holland (Crowdfunding), Seressia Glass (The Art of Writing Novellas), Sheila Goss, and CEO of Smashwords, Mark Coker (Ebook publishing, etc.). If that were not enough, I also had the pleasure of meeting two of the premier storytellers of our time—Beverly Jenkins and Evelyn Palfrey. As were the other facilitators, they were gracious and asked that I reach out to them if I had any questions.

While there was a lot of work (if you want to call learning work), there was also a lot of time allotted for fun. Lunch breaks were leisurely and allowed you to bond with new and old friends. The author panels afforded you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pick the brains of some of your favorite authors. The keynote luncheon speaker, Author Angie Daniels, was funny and inspirational. Lastly, the night out in the Big Easy, was a wet one, but traversing the flooded streets with new friends made it all worthwhile.

The Slam came to a close with the Emma Awards banquet. The Emma Awards is one of the preeminent awards event for readers and authors of Black romance. I was happy for all of the winners, but I cheered the most when my friend and mentor, Deatri King-Bey took home the award for Heroine of the Year (Isis Michaels in The Only Option). The organizers took us out in true New Orleans style. The second line consisted of readers and writers alike. They danced, cheered and twirled their handkerchiefs in the air.

If you are a lover of romance, or just looking to network with people who enjoy a good read, Romance Slam Jam is the event for you. Organized and professional, this event surpassed my expectations. Authors, if you’re seriously interested in honing your craft and truly connecting with readers, please consider attending Romance Slam Jam 2015 in Irving, TX (March 26 – 29). “This isn’t a conference to sell books,” says Deatri King-Bey. This event was about building a lasting network of friends and supporters— this event was truly about love!

J’son M. Lee (Editor)

See you at www.sweetgeorgiapress.com

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Mind Your Grammar by J’son M. Lee

I remember the first time I realized I could write. I was in Mrs. Vick’s high school typing class. We were given an assignment to create and type a fictitious resume. As you can imagine, this was a challenge because none of us had any previous work experience. The person with the most impressive resume would be hired by our teacher. I dug into my imaginative bank and created a resume that would impress even the most discerning employer. I was certain my resume would put me ahead of the competition for that dream position. Although the job was make-believe, I won!

Now two books and three short stories later, I find myself on the opposite end of the writing spectrum—I sling red ink for a living. As an editor, one of my goals is to ensure that a writer has put his or her best foot forward. Readers have become much more sophisticated, and for better or worse, they have an itch to judge. While grammar isn’t necessarily a reflection of your storytelling abilities, it does translate poorly if your finished product is wracked with errors.

It behooves every writer to have a firm grasp of basic grammar rules. Below are five common grammar mistakes I see routinely, not only in editing submissions, but in print. Don’t feel bad if you find the rules confusing. Although I am an editor, I continue to make these mistakes as well. I often have to refer to my trusted resource manuals for clarification. When I’m too frustrated, I let my editor figure it out. Yes, editors have editors.

Who and Whom

“Who” is a subjective pronoun, along with “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” and “they.” It’s used when the pronoun acts as the subject of a clause. “Whom” is an objective pronoun, along with “him,” “her,” “it”, “us,” and “them.” It’s used when the pronoun acts as the object of a clause. Using “who” or “whom” depends on whether you’re referring to the subject or object of a sentence.

Still too hard to remember? Try this easy rule: Like “whom,” the pronoun “him” ends with “m.” When you’re trying to decide whether to use “who” or “whom,” ask yourself if the answer to the question would be “he” or “him.” If you can answer the question being asked with “him,” then use “whom.” EX: If you’re trying to ask, “Who (or whom) do you want to see?” The answer would be “I want to see him.” “Him” ends with an “m,” so you know to use “whom.” But if you are trying to ask, “Who (or whom) loves me more?” the answer would be “He loves me more.” There’s no “m,” so you know to use “who.”

Who’s and Whose

“Who’s” is a contraction of who is or, less commonly, who has.

EX: Who’s the author of that book?

“Whose” is the possessive of who.

EX: Whose book is this?

Still too hard to remember? Try this easy rule: If you can replace the word with who is, use “who’s.” If not, use “whose.”

Lay and Lie

This mistake is by far the most egregious. In the essence of time, let’s focus on present tense only. “Lay” requires a direct object, and “lie” does not. That said, you lie down on the sofa (no direct object), but you lay the remote down on the sofa (the remote is the direct object). Admittedly, this one is very tricky. Refer to the chart below.

Infinitive Definition Present

to lay to put or place lay(s)

to lie to rest or recline lie(s)

Getting it right, takes considerable thought. In my own writing, I usually figure out a way to avoid the word. When I can’t—and it’s use is necessary—I let my editor figure it out.

Affect and Effect

“Affect” is almost always a verb, and “effect” is almost always a noun. “Affect” means to influence or produce an impression. “Effect” is the thing produced by the affecting agent; it describes the result or outcome. There are a few exceptions. “Effect” may be used as a transitive verb, which means to bring about or make happen. EX: The eBook revolution effected a much-needed shift in the literary industry. There are similarly rare examples where “affect” can be a noun. A client, Deidra DS Green, introduced me to this use. EX: His affect made him seem bored at the book signing.

The last common mistake isn’t a grammar mistake, but a punctuation mistake I see time and time again—the use of quotation marks. I recently questioned one of my mentors, Deatri King-Bey, on the use of quotation marks. After giving me a tutorial she said, “Don’t overthink it.” So here goes:

Periods and commas always go inside the closing quotation marks. EX: “I am looking forward to the Romance Slam Jam,” Edwina said. “I can’t wait to meet Deatri.”

Question marks and exclamation points go inside the closing quotation marks if they are part of the text you are quoting. EX 1: Tanya picked up the phone and asked, “Are you coming over today?” The question mark goes inside the quotation because Tanya is being quoted as asking the question. EX 2: Have you heard the saying, “smart as a whip”? In this example, the question mark goes outside the quote because the quote is not a question.

Bottom line, an author’s job is to tell great stories. So what you can’t remember all the rules of grammar! Make a concerted effort to master as many as you can, but when you fall short, let your editor sort it out. That’s their job. Remember, every great writer has a great team of editors.

J’son M. Lee (Editor)

See you at www.sweetgeorgiapress.com

If you found this post helpful, please use the SHARE buttons to help your fellow authors.

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for?Become A Successful Author is used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author for only $4.99 (eBook) or$9.99(print) from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble

Book Festivals: A Good Dose of Reality by J’son M. Lee

Book festivals can be so inviting—readers, book groups and industry professionals. With this conglomerate in one place, it stands to reason that an author would naturally fare well at an event like this. After all, if you have the readers, they will inevitably purchase your book, right? WRONG! Some authors are strategic when it comes to vending at these events. As a business owner, my decision usually comes down to economics; if it doesn’t make sound financial sense, I don’t participate. That’s my business model. Don’t get me wrong, if there is enough interest, I’ll attend an event, but for research, networking or the sheer enjoyment of reading. On the flip side, there are authors who are a bit more relaxed in their approach. Some will even allow their egos to get the best of them. In their quest for fame, they will rob Peter to pay Paul just to have a table at an event. Some folk just need a good dose of reality!

I recently attended the Baltimore Urban Book Festival (BUBF) with my good friend and client, Michelle “Big Body” Cuttino. The Festival was held at the Douglass-Myers Maritime Park. This venue, with its breathtaking views, is steeped in African American history. Set against the backdrop of the marina, being there was a one-of-a-kind experience in itself. The Festival was advertised to begin at 12:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. Michelle and I arrived promptly at noon. As we walked through the front doors we noticed bags, literature, etc. Although there were people in the immediate vicinity, no one greeted us or asked if we needed help. We inquired as to the location of the author tables and were told to proceed to the third floor via the elevators in the rear of the reception area. A young lady then escorted us back and gave us a brief overview, if you will. Once we arrived onto the floor, we walked into the room where the authors were set up. The room was chilly, but not in the traditional sense of the word. We didn’t feel welcome in the space. The authors seemed preoccupied, for lack of a better word. We deduced we were too early and decided to give the authors more time. We took the elevator back down to the lobby as there was a panel scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Well, the panel didn’t begin at 12:30. We overheard someone saying the author was late. So we waited…and waited. The author never showed. Finally, it was time for Sadeqa Johnson’s (Love in a Carry-On Bag) panel discussion. Sadeqa was poised, professional, articulate and charismatic. That thirty-minute interview was the highlight of my day. After her panel discussion, we decided to return to the room with the authors. Certainly, they were ready for us by now! Again, we had the same experience as earlier. Only one woman greeted us and smiled. Everyone else seemed preoccupied with their team and/or table. Given the fact that the turnout was extremely low (I’d say there were twenty readers there at best at the time we were there), I would have thought the authors would have been excited to have guests walk in. Again, only one person stood and greeted us. Sadly, that’s all she did—she didn’t mention her work, engage us in conversation or anything like that. So we continued our walk of shame. Needless to say, we didn’t support any of the authors (which was our intent). Neither of us were there in the capacity of authors; we were there as readers. After a few minutes, we realized we’d had enough and walked out. As we were leaving, we ran into Sadeqa again. She humbly stopped and allowed us to take photographs with her and thanked us for our support. I told her I would download her book to my Kindle as soon as I got home (which I did). Beyond my experience with Sadeqa, the event was a disappointment.

This event had so much potential, but fell short on so many levels for me. Since Deatri King-Bey’s platform is Successful Authors, I’ll concentrate on my experience with the authors. Unless you have a line of people waiting to buy your books or get your autograph, you need to be personable, approachable and engaging. For God’s sake, SMILE people! I’ve been to signings where the author remained seated the entire time. I remember meeting Zane for the first time at a Barnes and Noble in Washington, DC. The line was wrapped around the store. Someone on her team was walking around with post it notes and a pen and asked us to print our name on the post it and adhere it to the book, presumably so she could refer to us by name and ensure she spelled our names correctly. Long lines of fans are not the reality for most of us, and it certainly wasn’t the reality for the authors who were vending at the BUBF event. If the majority of us would get over our egos, we’d realize that attracting readers takes great effort on our part. No one is just going to walk up to you and give you money simply because you have a book out. So how dare you treat me (or any reader) like an unwelcome guest! It takes hosts, authors and readers alike to make a festival successful. That said, get off your ass and make it happen! Otherwise, you’ll arrive with your books…AND leave with them. That ain’t hardly what I call success!

Disclaimer: My experience is not meant to disparage anyone. I merely want to use my experience to help other authors have a successful event.

J’son M. Lee
President and Owner

Sweet Georgia Press

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Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for?Become A Successful Author is used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author for only $4.99 (eBook) or$9.99(print) from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble

Goodreads: Get Your Piece of the Pie! by J’son M. Lee

I am convinced that Amazon will eventually rule the literary world. In an effort to take this place, they have strategically acquired Goodreads, an online book-sharing site with 16 million members. Yes, you read that right —16 million! Not only does Goodreads afford Amazon a dominant social presence, it also affords authors an amazing platform—if they use it to its full potential. Whether you’re a new or established author, you can use Goodreads to introduce yourself to a vast community of potential readers. By fostering that community, you strengthen the link between your work and the people who read it.

Now, here’s the interesting part. Amazon, in its infinite wisdom, has broken the site up—readers versus writers. Readers can organize their collection of books, find book recommendations and even join in on discussions about their favorite authors and novels. Authors have their own special place, too, and need to take advantage of this paradigm. The Goodreads Author Program is FREE (did I mention there are 16 million members?), and has a host of features designed to help you reach your target audience. Here are a few:

Add a picture and bio
Write a blog
Publicize upcoming book signings, workshops or speaking engagements
Share book excerpts, quotes and other writing
Write a quiz about your book
Post videos

It is important to note that the Author Program isn’t automatic when you sign up for Goodreads. That’s where I made my mistake. I had no idea there was an Author Program until I was featured on the Literary Conservation. The administrator sent me an inbox which read, “Dude, I’m going to put your Goodreads profile up with the links, but man, get on there actively! That’s a free resource even the Big Names can’t afford to ignore.” Doc Shamrock was right! As a self-published author, I couldn’t afford to ignore this resource. I put off updating my page because it seemed daunting. I won’t sugarcoat it. Even after I dug in, it was a bit confusing. But I pushed my way through, and now my page is up and running. I still have a lot of updates to make, but I’m no longer ashamed of my online presence.

Have no idea how to begin? Start by signing up for a Goodreads account. After that, send a request to join the Author Program. It may take a few days to process your request. You will receive email confirmation (I received mine the same day) when they successfully upgrade your user account to an author account, thus merging your author page with your member page. That’s the easy part.

Now comes the more challenging part. The confirmation email will contain instructions for managing your author profile. You’ll have access to a special Author Dashboard that contains useful links and statistics about your books. Once I logged in, it took me a few hours to set up my page. It may not take you that long. I updated my profile, added a few trailers, loaded all of my books…there’s so much to do! I had some trouble adding an updated version of my book, and reached out to the Goodreads Librarians Group. They were extremely helpful with directly making changes to my book records or assisting me with making changes.

Whew! I’m tired just writing about this, but do it! It’s worth it. Don’t miss out on your piece of the pie. Can’t you taste your success?

J’son M. Lee
President and Owner
Sweet Georgia Press

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Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for?Become A Successful Author is used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author for only $4.99 (eBook) or$9.99(print) from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble

Point of View: Who Do You Think You’re Talking To? by J’son M Lee

Many writers struggle with point of view (POV) – the perspective through which a story is told. Choosing your point of view should be a strategic decision. As with most artists, writers often resist rules at all costs; however, a good writer must adhere to basic rules of writing in order to effectively develop characters and tell their story. Rules are made to assist writers, and if you are going to break them, you damn well better have a good reason. A reader is not interested in your “uniqueness” if it only serves to satisfy your individuality. Again, your choice should be strategic and assist in bringing the reader closer to the world you are creating.

Occasionally, writers will implore a combination of perspectives (known as alternating point of view), but we will concentrate on the three basic points of view in writing:

• first person, using “I” or “we”;

• second person, “you,” the least common point of view; and

• third person (“he,” “she,” “it”).

First Person Point of View

First person POV is the most intimate. With first person you experience the story through one person’s perception. Many writers find this limiting because it doesn’t allow the reader to be privy to any information or event that is not personally known by this character.

Example:

I hung up without allowing Tony a chance to respond. I was unsure of my future with him, but I was very sure of what I wanted at this very moment. I jumped in the shower and washed away all of the dirt and inhibitions.

Second Person Point of View

Second person is told from the perspective of “you.” This is not commonly used, except in instructional writings.

Example:

You hung up without allowing Tony a chance to respond. You were unsure of your future with him, but you were very sure of what you wanted at this very moment. You jumped in the shower and washed away all of the dirt and inhibitions.

Third Person Point of View

Though first person can be impactful, third person is actually the more versatile point of view. Third person allows you to create a more complicated storyline, and allows for multiple lead characters. This POV allows you to switch back and forth between characters and the unique way they each see things. Most writers use third person POV.

Example:

Mark hung up without allowing Tony a chance to respond. He was unsure of his future with him, but he was very sure of what he wanted at this very moment. He jumped in the shower and washed away all of the dirt and inhibitions.

Choosing your point of view is one of the most important things you will do as a writer. Imagine that you are an eagle perched high up in a tree. From that tree, you watch and listen. Your POV will dictate what you (the eagle) can and cannot see, and even whose mind you can enter. Ultimately you need to decide which POV will allow you to best tell your story. Some writers can masterfully switch POV within a manuscript, but this takes skill. One of the best pieces of advice I found came from a writer’s forum: “Don’t choose an unusual perspective to be different. Choose it because it provides something you cannot achieve as well any other way.”

Join me next time when we’ll talk about tense…

Note: For additional information on Point of View, read: Who’s Telling This Story (Point Of View) by Deatri King-Bey

For more information about the author, please visit his website at: http://www.jmccoylee.com/ or http://www.sweetgeorgiapress.com/.

If you found this post helpful, please use the Share buttons to spread the word about it.

Don’t have a copy of Become A Successful Author? What are you waiting for?Become A Successful Author is used in the “How To Write That Novel” course at Chicago State because it covers everything from branding to writing to editing to formatting and uploading electronic and print books to marketing and so much more. Your time is money. Look at all the time, thus money, you’ll save by ending your search for answers: Purchase Become A Successful Author for only $4.99 (eBook) or$9.99(print) from: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble

Author Etiquette 101: Mind Your Manners by J’son M. Lee

Desperate times call for desperate measures. All of us have heard this phrase at one time or another. In short, it means when people get into trouble, they feel forced to do things they wouldn’t normally do for survival. Authors are no exception. When it comes to our livelihood, most of us will do whatever it takes to sustain it. Many of us draw the line when it means sacrificing our reputation or integrity; however, there are a number of authors who choose to stand their ground no matter the cost. I am of the mindset that authors who want their books to be noticed will garner more fans and support by remembering their manners than by imploring tactics that may jeopardize their livelihood.

When an author spends months or even years developing a project, it stands to reason they want readers to take notice of their masterpiece. However, just as bad parenting can ruin a child’s chance at success, authors can do the same for their books if they forget common courtesy. It is important to respect those who impact your livelihood. This list includes readers, reviewers, editors, and yes, even other authors. Here are a few simple pointers for authors about proper etiquette:

Be Courteous to Your Readers

Everyone is not going to like your book, and as wonderful a person as you are, everyone is not going to like you. Let that sink in for just a moment. In most cases, those who fall in either category will be in the minority. If we embrace this fact, we would realize there is no need for public outrage when we feel attacked personally or when we receive less than favorable feedback on our work. It is not necessary to respond. Brush it off! This is easier said than done sometimes, but you must decide who you want to become and walk confidently in that path. Let your fans fight your battles. Remember that person who said how great you were? How brilliant and thought-provoking your narrative was? Yes, that person. Let them handle the minorities. Stick to what you do best – writing great prose. If you’re going to be a professional writer, act like one.

Be Creative and Strategic

Just because you have the capability to reach readers 24/7, it doesn’t mean you should. Talking about yourself or your book incessantly gets tiring. How many ways can you say, “Have you read (insert name of book)?” or “1 click (insert name of short story).” At some point, you must realize that readers tune out or simply ignore your post. It is human nature. Stop blasting timelines and groups with your book advertisements. Be a little more creative and strategic with the information you share. Book groups have voiced over and over how they hate being bombarded with book advertisements. So, why are you still doing it to the degree you are? If it’s arrogance, you need to check that – NOW! Your posts speak to your professionalism. I would venture to say that most readers want a little more from you than a book link. Share information that will spark conversation. Readers really like to get into your head. Give it a try!

Ultimately, if you fail to treat readers right, your work is in vain. The business (yes, we are running a business) of writing isn’t as complicated as many make it out to be. Remember the basic rules our parents taught us: 1) say please and thank you and 2) treat others the way you want to be treated. It is really quite simple. Treat your readers right and you will have the best, free marketing for life. Treat them badly, and you will have a public relations nightmare. When treated badly, readers will not tell others about the great book you wrote – no matter how great it is. Bottom line, mind your manners!

J’son M. Lee

For more information about the author, please visit his website at http://www.jmccoylee.com/ or http://www.sweetgeorgiapress.com/.

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Content Marketing: Attracting Your Audience by J’son M. Lee

One of the biggest hurdles that self-published authors have to cross is marketing. An overwhelming number of indie authors are pretty forthright about the fact that most of their marketing is done via social media. While social media is highly effective, it has its limitations. As such, authors need to find ways that are creative, memorable, effective and respectful. Too many, the word “respectful” will seem out of place; however, given the rules of social etiquette as it relates to social media, it behooves each of us to be mindful and respectful of these spoken or unspoken rules.

Having worked in Corporate America for over 15 years, I’ve seen the various marketing techniques that businesses implore. Authors may call it by a different name, but usually the concept and approach are the same. For example, businesses often utilize cold calling to generate business. Cold calling is the process of approaching prospective customers or clients who were not expecting such an interaction. The word “cold” is used because the person is not expecting to be contacted nor did they specifically ask to be contacted. Authors utilize the same technique, but call it pounding the pavement or frontline hustling. Whether a business executive or an author, the goals of cold calling are the same; you want to get the person’s permission to have a conversation with them and then engage them enough that they want to know more about your product or brand. Ultimately, you hope this approach will lead to a sale. As with social media, this is a highly effective approach, but can be limiting.

While many authors focus on ways to increase sales, I would encourage more authors to focus on methods that increase visibility. This is an approach known as content marketing. Content marketing involves the creation and sharing of content in order to attract, acquire and engage potential consumer bases with the objective of making them loyal to your brand and ultimately securing sales. Content marketing utilizes such methods as videos, blogs, photos, etc. The difference between content marketing and more direct marketing methods is that it stops short of a direct sales pitch.

Here are a few content marketing methods that I utilize to bring focus to my brand:

Reviews: When I began publishing, I found it difficult to find people who wrote quality reviews. From an author’s perspective, I found many reviews to be unclear, poorly written or simply too personal. I ultimately decided to be the type of reviewer that I was looking for. I researched and established a format for my reviews and present them in a way that provides constructive criticism for the author and feedback that is useful to potential readers looking to make a purchase. I recognize the type of credibility I am seeking to garner will take time, but I’m in this for the long haul.

Articles/Interviews: Many authors write for more than just reader entertainment. Some authors blog while others are featured on various media lending their expertise on various subject matters. Many of these platforms we have to create for ourselves. For example, as an author, I want to lend my voice to the plight of the gay community. In an effort to do this, I recently began writing for a grassroots newsmagazine connecting with members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender sub-communities. This opportunity didn’t come to me, I went to it. Again, my goal was not to pitch my products, but build another platform for my brand.

Content marketing is nothing more than creating relevant content and distributing it to your target audience. While many authors flood reader pages and groups with their book links, I tend to be much more strategic in my marketing approach. While there is something to be said for social media and pounding the pavement, there is also something to be said for building an audience that respects your thoughts and opinions and is loyal to your brand. When people are loyal they are more likely to invest their hard-earned money into your products. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose, and nothing but a loyal reader base to gain.

J’son M. Lee