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Shojai
Mentoring Award
from
the
Cat
Writers' Association
to
Barbara
Florio Graham
2010
BE SURE TO READ THE CHECKLIST
BEFORE MAKING A DECISION,
and also read the FREE information about
Print-on-Demand, e-books, and Internet publishing.
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Are you considering SELF-PUBLISHING a
book?
Barbara Florio Graham can provide advice, support,
and guidance through the process. Tap her expertise to make the
process easier.
Bobbi will also give you an honest opinion about
whether your book is viable, or if you should consider taking the
tradition route of finding an agent and a "trade" publisher.
A month of two of mentoring at the very beginning
can keep you from making the most obvious mistakes. Understand your
target audience before you begin; have a publicity strategy in place
before you invest your time or your money.
Self-publishers will learn if their proposed book
is marketable, how to ensure its success, how to cut costs, and how
to generate sales in advance of publication.
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A word about Book Shepherds:
I'm one of Dan Poynter's Book Shepherds, listed on
his website at Para Publishing,
and in his monthly newsletter, Publishing Poynters, along with a
carefully selected list of other publishing consultants Dan trusts.
We each have our own specific strengths and
specialties, so it's wise to contact more than one to find the right
"fit." Canadian authors often select me because I live in
Canada, and know the market and resources here. If you live in the
western U.S., you might choose Patricia
Fry, or if you're in Australia or New Zealand,
Maria Carlton would be an excellent person to help you.
When you contact a publishing consultant, check
their website carefully, and make sure they have substantial
credentials and a solid track record. Patricia and Maria both stand
up to this scrutiny, which is why I recommend them.
You need to describe your book project, tell the
consultant where you are in the process (is the book finished? has it
been edited? have you considered/tried a trade publisher?) and then
articulate your goals, so your "Shepherd" can determine if
she can help you.
Be prepared to pay for this service. We all have
different rates, so inquire about that and find a service that suits
your needs and your budget. |
I'm now offering extensive notes from the sold-out
workshop I gave in April, 2008, called How to Promote Your Book or
Your Business. These notes are available as an inexpensive add-on for
purchasers of Five Fast Steps to Low-Cost Publicity.
You may want to purchase this package first, so you
will have the basics and can then spend your mentoring dollars asking
specific questions.
Mentoring is a deductible business expense. The
cost is $75 per hour, in three-hour segments, payable in
advance. There is an initial $250 set-up fee, which allows me
to familarize myself with your book project, open a file and set
aside time for you. I log each hour you use (based on the time
it takes me to read and respond to your e-mail and any attachments
you send), and I am very flexible about spreading mentoring over more
than a month, if you start to act on my suggestions and need a few
weeks to implement these before you return to me with further
questions or direction.
CONTACT BOBBI to
discuss whether this will work for you. Complete confidentiality is assured.
Here are some testimonials:
Barbara Graham has been working with me for
almost a year. I chose Barbara because of her expertise. She
has taught me many valuable tools and helped me to create my own
website www.wandapthompson.com.
Barbara has worked with me in all aspects of writing, publishing and
promoting my books and website. These tools I continue to use.
Barbara has helped me polish Brian: A New Beginning. I am
working on 1924 Wembley Rodeo. Barbara has been an invaluable
help and resource. Her knowledge and expertise in all the areas
of writing, producing and marketing are tremendous. I highly
recommend her to anyone who wants help in any area of their writing.
Thank you Barbara.
(Wanda Thompson, Cardston, Alberta
Barbara Florio Graham's mentoring was crucial to
my self-publishing venture. Her breadth of knowledge and
comprehensive advice enabled me to avoid mistakes, frustration and
wasted time. She answered all my questions, big and small, promptly
and helpfully. I found her guidance to be extremely good value for
the money. If you're a beginner to self-publishing, you can't afford
*not* to have her help!
Kathleen Hamilton - http://www.parfumnouveau.com,
http://www.ocanadacrosswords.com
A word of thanks for your timely insights,
observations, and suggestions for the finishing touches on my book,
Empowering College Women, Strategies for Campus relationships. The
formatting and cover ideas were right on target. As a new
author/publisher, exposure to your objectivity and editing acumen
were very important. Your suggestions were to the point, well
reasoned and had quite an impact on the final look and feel of the
book. Nice work! ... Your marketing ideas were priceless!
... Working with you is an easy, fruitful experience.
Gratefully, Frederic E. Becker Jr.(Rick) - www.violinplay.com
Authors need not walk alone in their journey of
self-publishing. Barbara Florio Graham will be there to guide and
nurture you to success. She has proven to be one of the most valuable
people during my first experience of self-publishing.
(Heather Resnick, author of Women
Reworked: Empowering Women in Employment Transition www.womenreworked.com)
Bobbi Graham - with inspiration from Simon
Teakettle - edited both non-fiction and fiction for me, dealing with
the micro of sentence structure and the macro of book
organization. She also guided me in a self-publishing venture
with publicity material and press releases. She did it
all kindly, promptly, competently and at very reasonable cost. (Dr.
Cynthia Carver, Lanark, Ontario)
I imagine you have people all over the world who
appreciate your mentoring. Your optimistic and encouraging attitude
is a gift to me and I'm sure has been a gift to scores of other
people throughout your life.
(Elizabeth Atherton-Reid, psychologist and columnist)
I still remember, and profit from, my sessions
with you. (Marta Felber, www.lifewords.com)
You have the gift of inspiring energy and
enthusiasm. (Dr. Wendy
DiRodio, California)
ALSO SEE THE ENTREPRENEUR'S
PAGE,
BECAUSE SELF-PUBLISHING IS A SMALL BUSINESS
FREE: RESOURCES
PUBLISHING OPTIONS
