From one #SmartAuthor to others, I continue to be ‘berry beezy’ in France, figuring things out. It is not easy, being an expat. Each day is full of its own challenges in real life and online. Nothing is as it seems – like opening a door, flushing the john, turning on water, working an elevator, reading French directions/ingredients, or finding a street sign, if at all. It is definitely a challenge to guess what floor a doctor is on.
It’s back to basics.
This week, I have been pondering my coping skills and how to “figure things out”. Upon reflection, I realize that I have been “figuring things out” since I can remember – losing my blanket, dancing with turquoise scarfs in kindergarten, understanding Miss Bessie, coping with Mrs. Dent, doing long division, avoiding plane geometry, playing Indian with a pitcher of beer, going through “Rush Week” at the University of Wisconsin, liking mid-Westerners, driving through Brooks Army Medical Center, writing a thesis, auditioning for plays, singing second soprano, playing Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude, teaching college kids, moving west, getting an agent, doing fixers, remembering lines, writing briefs, passing the California Bar Exam, litigating cases, moving to France, and taking right exits at round-abouts. The good news is I’m getting better at figuring things out. The bad new is – I HAVE TO FIGURE EVERY DAMN THING OUT! I feel overwhelmed just reading this list, much less writing it. (Note to Self: The French are not great at “customer service”. “Buyer Beware” comes to mind.)
Online is easier. Writing or publishing books is like a breath of fresh air (including reading news – good, bad, indifferent) and unfollowing people on Facebook and Twitter. I’m getting better at that, too, thanks to Mark Coker’s podcasts. Granted, Smashwords has its own challenges, but each one is engrossing and doable.
This week, Mark talks about how to get a public library to want Steve Orlandella’s and my books. Actually, the University of North Georgia (former Gainesville Junior College) has my The Origins of George Bernard Shaw’s Life Force Philosophy in it.
Steve’s Titanic, The Game, and five Vic Landell mysteries are perfect for public libraries. Even Stevespeak, 3 Years on Facebook.
This is what Smashwords has to say about it:
“1. HOW TO MARKET INDIE EBOOKS TO LIBRARIES
At Smashwords, we love libraries, which explains why over the last few years we’ve built out an incredible library ebook distribution network to OverDrive, Baker & Taylor Axis 360, Odilo, CloudLibrary, and Gardners.
Public libraries are engines of book discovery. Millions of readers discover their new favorite authors at public libraries, and then go on to purchase other books by the same authors at retail.
If you want to sell more ebooks at retail, sell more ebooks to libraries.
In Episode 6 of the Smart Author Podcast, out today, you’ll learn how to sell more ebooks to libraries. You’ll learn how librarians discover, curate, purchase, and manage ebooks. You’ll learn how, when, and where to contact librarians so you’re a valued resource and not a nuisance.
You’ll learn six marketing tips you can put to use today.
We hope you’re enjoying the Smart Author Podcast. The feedback from authors and publishers around the world has been gratifying. We’re so pleased to make this quality best practices knowledge available for free to authors everywhere, and in such an accessible and convenient format.
If you’re enjoying the Smart Author Podcast, please share it with a friend!
Coming up next Friday, November 17, is an extra special Episode 7 on the “2017 Smashwords Survey.” Be sure to subscribe today at Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source listed below so you can be the first to hear it. Mark will share new, never-before-released data.
Where to Listen and Subscribe:
- Apple Podcasts – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-author/id1298180300?mt=2
- Stitcher – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mark-coker/smart-author
- SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/user-845581352
- TuneIn – https://tunein.com/radio/Smart-Author-p1043483/
- iHeartRadio – https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-Smart-Author-28595395/
- Google Play Music – https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Inyyeidlihl2vizh4cegieizsvu
- Smashwords (Listen over your web browser) – https://smashwords.com/podcast
Supplemental resources:
You’ll find edited transcripts of each episode at our Smart Author hub page at Smashwords.
Join us at Facebook at the official Smart Author Facebook Page where you can discuss each episode with fellow listeners, or pose questions following each episode.
If you enjoy the episodes, please share with friend!
Enjoy!
2. HELPFUL RESOURCES
- How to publish and distribute ebooks with Smashwords
- Frequently asked questions
- Smashwords Site Updates
- Smashwords blog (subscribe today via the email option!)
- How to Publish ebooks (4-part presentation)
- Smart Author Podcast
- Smashwords Video Workshops
- Create a Smashwords Interview (self-interviews)
- Smashwords Series Manager (Manage series metadata)
- Smashwords Coupon Manager (Create custom coupon codes)
- Connect with fellow Smashwords readers and authors at Facebook
- Mark’s List – Low cost cover designers and ebook formatters
Thanks for choosing Smashwords for your ebook publishing and distribution.
When you distribute with Smashwords, you’re directly supporting our ability to create exciting new tools and opportunities for you.
Thanks,
The Smashwords Team”
Best, Jay
JAYSPEAK 