E-book versions matter

Like it or not, the ebook is here to stay. I remember 15 years ago when I started The Authors' Assistant, a few years later people were asking, "What's your website?" Now more and more authors are being asked, "Do you have an electronic version I can download?" My husband still loves his vinyl records and there are tapes and CDs that are still our favorites, but I take my ipod everywhere now. Just as MP3 players have revolutionized music, the Nook, Kindle and Sony e-reader are becoming more and more popular. As you get closer to the release date of your book, make sure you are prepared to answer, "Can I download it?" You will attract more readers if the answer is yes.

Creating Web Traffic with Video

You may already know that video drives traffic now to websites & blogs better than any other content. But if you don't have a sophisticated camera on your cell phone or a webcam, how do you make the video?

Check out the video that leads into this post. I created it in less than an hour on Animoto. Try making your own at www.animoto.com.

-Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist

Publisher's Weekly Contest: A Savage Wisdom

The only woman in history to be executed in Louisiana's electric chair met her demise this month 67 years ago. To mark the occasion, award-winning author Norman German is giving away a copy of his novel, A Savage Wisdom based on her life to readers who correctly state the name of the murderess in a comment to this post.

Entries must be received by Sunday, November 22, 2009 per Barbara Vey's post on Monday, November 16 at www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288/post/1530050553.html

-Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist

The 2009 Will Rogers Medallion Awards

[Photo of Bob Fussell (left)accepting Will Rogers Medallion Award]

The Will Rogers Medallion Awards are presented each year to books & films that represent an outstanding achievement in the publishing of Western Literature and Film. These books and films exemplify excellence in content and design with an enduring quality that preserves and celebrates the history and spirit of the West and the memory of Will Rogers.

On September 22 in Garland, Texas, the 2009 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western Nonfiction was awarded to Bob Fussell for his grandfather Joseph Fussell's memoir, Unbridled Cowboy (Truman State University Press, 2008).

Congratulations to client Bob Fussell (NY), on receiving the Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western Nonfiction!

- Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist

Audio Book Giveaway: Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts its Legacy as the Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U.S. History

In 2001, at age forty-seven, Thomas Norman DeWolf was astounded to discover that he was related to the most successful slave-trading family in United States history, responsible for transporting at least 10,000 Africans to the Americas.

Inheriting the Trade is DeWolf's memoir of his experiences during the making of a documentary film, Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, in which he and nine other family members journey into their slave-trading heritage.

Three CD audio books of Inheriting the Trade will be given away by this blog to a U.S. resident. To enter the random drawing, comment on this post by Wednesday, September 23.

Good Luck!
Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist

Mistakes of First Time Authors

On her blog today, Publisher Dana Smith posted my popular article on the most common mistakes that first time authors make with their books.

Click on the title of this blog post to view the article.

-Stephanie Barko, Literary Publiicist

Texas Book Marketing Handbook

The Texas Book Marketing Handbook is now available at
http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/texas.

See page 133 for my tips on acquiring print media attention.

Packed with practical advice and resources, the Texas Book Marketing Handbook includes complete contact information for Texas bookstores, libraries, media, book fairs and more. It also includes:

* Strategies for marketing to libraries and bookstores

* Suggestions for selling to the specialty retail market

* Tips for selling books at book fairs and festivals

* Advice for getting publicity in print and broadcast media

* Ideas for earning money with speaking engagements

- Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist