AboutCathy Clamp Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of getting published through commercial publishers, ebook publishers and self-publishing I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology, acronyms and manuscript formatting. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication.
Experience I'm a USA Today bestselling author of romance fiction in the Tor/Forge Books paranormal romance line. Along with a co-author, I've published eight novels (combination of mass market and trade softcover) since 2003, and have contracts for six more books through 2009. I've also published short stories in regional and national magazines as well as freelance feature articles.
Organizations Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America.
Publications Books: Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing; Magazines: Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, many others.
Education/Credentials My educational background is limited to real life experience of publishing novels commercially for the past five years.
Awards and Honors USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Book Buyers Best Award for Paranormal, 2007, Romantic Times Best Werewolf Novel, 2006, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Best Historical Chronicle Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
Expert: Cathy Clamp Date: 5/29/2008 Subject: eBooks and eBook Marketing
Question I guess I have a two-parter. First, what do you recommend as the best tool to create an eBook - PDF software or a compiler? Second, what's the best strategy for marketing eBooks to increase buyers on or offline?
Thank you!
Answer Hi, Jason! I guess my personal preference is PDF Software (so Adobe) since more people presently have Adobe Reader, since it's free, versus a Mobi or other reader. Again, I think you'll get different answers depending on who you ask, so either is fine.
Marketing ebooks is a time consuming process, because you either have to (a) put the book where casual readers will find it---like books are in bookstores or a "book/magazine" section of a discount store; or (b) make the readers come FIND the book because you target just the right readers. Choice (a) is a little easier since multi-genre ebook sites like:
Etc. There are lots of them, and readers come to the sites to browse. But often there are charges to the seller/author of the book, so check them carefully before signing up.
If you are going out to FIND readers, then it's trickier because you have to somehow locate the ones who will be interested in your book enough to go seek it out. There are lots of ways to do that. Maybe if you tell me whether the book is fiction or non-fiction and the subject/genre, I could offer some suggestions. :)
