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Francine Craft

Francine Craft


Last Updated: 11/18/2009

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State: Washington DC
Country: US

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Sunday, August 16, 2009 

Current mood:  blessed
Category: Blogging
I'd love you hear about your experiences with self-publishing because I hear so many varied tales.  Just choosing a workable company can be a real hassle.  Some promise so much and deliver so little. Some seem just about perfect, and some should go out of business.



In the coming weeks I want to tell you what I've found out about self-publishing and about marketing what you write. There are many places that can help you for a nominal fee, but you have to check them out carefully.  More and more marketing is beginning to rival writing as something you've got to do. This is true even if you have a publisher.  They're leaving it mostly up to you to get out there and pitch your book.  And you won't be with them long if you don't do it right. 



Ever think about blogging?  It's one of a number of things you're probably going to have to learn to do if you want the readers you deserve.  If people don't know about your books, how in the world are they going to buy them?  And trust me, as a new writer -- or an older one -- you can spend yourself silly for publicists and the like and come out on the losing end.  I've been there and I know what I'm talking about.



But you know the whole picture begins with you -- and your book.  Please be sure you've done the best job you can possibly do.  Get an editor.  Join a critique group if they appeal to you.  Ask your local book club(s) to read your manuscript or book and provide free copies.  Talk your book  up.  If you don't love it, you can't expect others to.



So please tell me what you're going through.  Google it and find the best companies to self-publish with.  Check them out with the Better Business Bureau in your town.  Be sure to ask the companies you contact for lots of references and feel free to call some of those references.  Believe me, you're in this for the long haul.  Decide to do your best for your book and it will pay you back more than you could imagine.

Love and blessings and please let me hear from you!

Francine

COME BLOG WITH ME!  THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

 





HERSCHEL & MARIO
Herschel Holtzclaw Lee

 
As I always say, keep on blogging.  If works if you work it.

 
Posted by HERSCHEL & MARIO on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 07:52 PM
[Reply to this
Francine Craft
Francine Craft

 
Always helpful.  Always kind.  I really appreciate you both.

Best - Francine
 
Posted by Francine Craft on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 04:48 PM
[Reply to this
Million Dollar Book Reviews

 
Excellent Blog! A lot of authors should research this option.  I have found self-publishing to be an awesome way to get published.  I am about to self-publish my third novel and looking forward to it.  At this point, I have been doing it for so long I don't think a new publisher would see my ideas and vision clearly.  Self-publishing allows you to be the boss.  Anything else would be uncivilized..lol.  I love being the boss.  An author has to do most of the work anyway.  May as well get all of your money. 

Author Leandus Poe
CEO, Million Dollar Book Reviews

 
Posted by Million Dollar Book Reviews on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 07:52 PM
[Reply to this
Million Dollar Book Reviews

 
You're welcome Francine! My titles are Diminishing Love and Strawberries and Blackberry Cheesecake.  I would love to give you a book review.  It doesn't matter when your previous books were published. I will review them.  At least consider us for your newest release in 2010.
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Posted by Million Dollar Book Reviews on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 10:57 AM
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Francine Craft
Francine Craft

 
Thank you so much.  I'm going to try to contact you today to make sure you get this.  Your titles sound wonderful.  And I was gong to ask that you review Edge.  Your comments on the blog are top-of-the-line and I really appreciate them.  Watch future blogs because I'm picking up a world of really good tips from my self-help publisher on marketing and I'll get into that next week, or begin to.

Best,

Francine
 
Posted by Francine Craft on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 11:05 AM
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Francine Craft
Francine Craft

 
Leandus - thanks so much.  I know how I feel, but I never expected to get such gleeful response from others who've tried self-publishing.  Please keep in touch and let me know the name of your book.  Mine will come out during the first months of 2010 and it's "Dying On The Edge."

Best,

Francine
 
Posted by Francine Craft on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 07:58 PM
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Francine Craft
Francine Craft

 
Hersch and Mario,

Thanks!  I love this experience so much I'm loving writing about it!  Look forward to "Dying On The Edge."

Best,

Marj
 
Posted by Francine Craft on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 07:55 PM
[Reply to this
V.J. Gotastory
V.J. Gotastory

 
Thanks for the info.. That's a great help to a new author such as myself. I had a publishing company but after my comittment with that company I want to venture out on my own.  And I've already got my own publishing company started.  I have been and will continue to do my research... any other information that you have and can share please do.   my email address is vjgotastory@yahoo.com.. Thanks so much for thinking about others to share your knowledge. 
 


 
Posted by V.J. Gotastory on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 11:53 PM
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V.J. Gotastory
V.J. Gotastory

 
Thank you so very much for this useful information.  I am an author about to be published by a publisher.  But after my comittment to my contract with that publisher, I am going to self publish. I have researced and will continue to research for the best self-publisher's out there.   When you come up with any other valuable information please don't hesitate to share it with us... I really appreciate someone who is not selfish with information that can help me as well at others... Again, thanks for sharing...

 

 
 
Posted by V.J. Gotastory on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 11:53 PM
[Reply to this
Francine Craft
Francine Craft

 
You're more than welcome.  Stay tuned!

Best,

Francine
 
Posted by Francine Craft on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 11:59 PM
[Reply to this
Shon Bacon/ChickLitGurrl™: a true wordsmith

 
Hey there, Missy!

I love this blog, :-)  You know I'm thinking about doing the self-publishing thing, so this information is SO necessary.  Thank you!

 
Posted by Shon Bacon/ChickLitGurrl™: a true wordsmith on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 05:28 PM
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Francine Craft
Francine Craft

 
Shon - Thank you.  I've been lightly studying self-publishing for more than 20 years, but what really got to me was when I began to read about marketing today and it's a winner -- if you do it right.  There're so many tools and help available now where there hasn't been.  It's full of pitfalls, but you can avoid them.  I've corresponded with a lot of happy people out there who've gone the self-publishing route.

Best,

Francine
 
Posted by Francine Craft on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 05:33 PM
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Shani Greene-Dowdell
Shani Greene-Dowdell

 
"Google it and find the best companies to self-publish with."

The best resource is going to be word of mouth and experience unfortunately because the big "self" publishing companies have Google on lock with the prime placement in the search engine, and these companies are not going to tell you that you will be paying nearly $10 per copy of your own book.

Great blog, keep the dialogue coming!

 
Posted by Shani Greene-Dowdell on Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 09:20 AM
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HERSCHEL & MARIO
Herschel Holtzclaw Lee

 
I would venture to guess that there are those who read this who are afraid to respond for fear of tooting their own horn.  They just have to remember "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"

 
Posted by HERSCHEL & MARIO on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 12:29 PM
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