For Authors Only
Where will the next best-selling author be found?
Literary agents and publishers say they are turning to the Internet to see who is out there with a book or blog that is creating a stir. What author already has a community of followers? Who has an active Twitter following or Facebook Fan page? Whose ebooks are selling like hotcakes on Kindle?
Let’s be honest. It’s a business decision and they’re doing the right thing—agents earn their livings by selling your book to a publisher, who makes a living by publishing and selling your book to readers. Why wouldn’t they pursue authors who have already proved they have what it takes to be successful? An unknown is just that: unknown. Unkown to the market and an unknown risk.
Here’s what two agents had to say in interviews held just a few weeks ago:
“Authors feeling the effects of the economic downturn should study the marketing side of publishing. On the promotional side, start blogging and social networking. More than ever authors, new and established, are depending on the Internet to reach out to readers through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Red Room, Ning, etc.”
—Nicholas Croce, Literary Agent, The Croce Agency (GalleyCat interview 4.19.10)
“Editors, now more than ever, want the ’sure thing.’ That is for a nonfiction author, they have an impressive platform and high Internet visibility and presence. For fiction, craft is still exceedingly important, but so is marketability.”
—Andrea Hurst, Literary Agent, Andrea Hurst & Assoc. (GalleyCat interview 4.20.10)
The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter anymore who’s publishing the book (you or Simon & Schuster) as far as what the author’s role is. The successful author in today’s market takes responsibility for building a community of followers who will buy his or her books and more.
If you want “best-selling author” after your name, you need a serious Internet presence with thousands of readers hungry for your every word.
So, how do most authors respond to that advice?
- There’s so much to learn, and I don’t know where to start.
- I have a Facebook page, but I don’t see how it works to attract readers.
- I took social media course from an “expert.” It made my head spin and eyes cross.
- All this social media stuff is so time consuming. When will I have time to write?
- #@%&*#!
But what if someone could show you how to do it, step by step, in plain English?
I realized that writers need a social media program created by someone who understands their needs. And who better to do that than another author? So I designed a system totally customized for a writer’s specific needs. I am proud to introduce:
For Authors Only
A 10-step social media program that any author with even minimal computer skills can follow AND still have time to write!
For Authors Only will help you create:
- Scheduled writing time every day to work on new material
- A large, targeted list of followers
- A self-hosted blog
- Ebooks available for purchase on Kindle, iPad, Nook and more
- A monthly or biweekly enewsletter
- Familiarity with the free and low-cost tools available to authors
- A social networking strategy
- Optimized social profiles to use on the various networks
- A YouTube Channel with self-created videos
- Podcasts available on iTunes
For Authors Only includes:
***A monthly 90-minute class with Shelley Lieber, The Wordy Woman. (Tutorial & Live Q&A)
***A monthly 60-minute class with a social media or marketing expert.
Audio mp3 recording and written transcripts of each call for download
***Weekly audio or video message with additional tips, inspiration and encouragement delivered by email to keep you on track between calls.
***A easy-to-follow, step-by-step action plan based on the goals you set.
***Opportunity to network with other authors in the For Authors Only community
PLUS!
For Authors Only Digital Package Bonus (Free with membership)
***The Indie Author’s Guide to Publishing Success: 4-hour Teleseminar Program. Includes downloads of 4 audio files (1 hour each) and pdf transcripts (approx. 60 pages)
***Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Digital Publishing (but were afraid to ask): 90-minute teleclass with Mark Coker, creator and CEO of Smashwords. This audio download features an interview and Q&A with the creator of the hottest platform for digital publishing today. Smashwords features over 10,000 titles available on Kindle, Nook, iPad and more.
***How to Take Great Profile Photos Every Time with Any Camera. Free pdf report with tips from professional photographer Joe Gemignani on how to get a great shot every time for your Author and Profile Pages.
If you can’t make up your mind, think about this:
Imagine yourself six months from now. Are you still exactly where you are now? Or are you thriving in your community of followers who look to you for guidance and/or entertainment? In six months, will you be wishing you’d started this today? Or, will you be ecstatically happy you joined? The choice is yours. The bonus offer is only available for a limited time, so be sure to lock in your special pricing and get your bonus gifts today.
For Authors Only Payment Options
Six-Month Program (June 15 – December 15, 2010)
Registration for this program is now closed.
Cancellations may be made in the first month and are subject to a one-month cancellation fee. No refunds will be made after June 30, 2010.

[...] For Authors Only [...]
I have an award winning book (Moonbeam spirit award and honors at the Hollywood Book Festival) but am not doing well at marketing. Since the book (My Champion)is about the power of wishing, I am about to collaborate with Kids Wish network and give them 500 books with an opening page sending the reader to my website and encouraging sales at a bargain price. I am part way through a novel centered on Post Traumatic Stress (fiction) and how a man from my past (true enough) spent 20 years healing and went back to his life. I would like to do this book as an e-book. I want to market My Champion which targets a 10 year old girl who becomes a hero. I want that book to be a hit and my other book to speak to our troops coming back from the wars. Any advice?
Thanks Dear,
Sue
Shelley,
the call last night was great AND inspiring
As you stated, the whole arena of social marketing is fuzzy to me so I have avoided it most of the time
I did not have a password to access the For Authors ONly page last night so I am glad you emailed this link
I will be following up soon,
Connie Shoemaker
[...] For Authors Only [...]
I listened to the call last night and was very secure in knowing that I was on the right track by creating fan pages on FACEBOOK and just learning how to Tweet…yea!
Thank you for giving authors a lesson in moving themselves into the next area of promotion, and reminding us that we can’t sit back and let our books sell themselves
Hey, Connie! so glad you were on the call and enjoyed it! Let me know if you have any questions at all.
Hi Shelley,
Enjoyed the call yesterday. I now have a plan and I know I can succeed.
Thank You Shelley, we will connect soon.
I’m considering your program but do not have time for audio or video presentations. Often, I read away from my desk and computer… It seems as though this program is audio/video dominant. Do you offer your material in just a written format?
Just wondering.
Thank you for your time.
Hi Rebecca, A good question! The material for this program is delivered via teleclass. However, all classes are recorded and transcribed. So, if you are unable to make the class, you can listen or the recording or read the written transcripts, which will be available for download shortly after the each class.
Thanks for your interest!
My best, Shelley
Hi Shelly, I have this terrible habit of living on the edge and waiting to the very last minute to get things done… I guess you can say I’m sort of a deadline junkie…But nothing was going to keep me from this exciting opportunity you are providing. I’m so looking forward to this!
You are helping me gain confidence and potential to become an upcoming award winning novelist,writer and a best selling author in AFRICA.I appreciate every single advice I get from you morever, free of charge! May the work of your hands continue to bring you the pleasure and joy of your hearts disire.
AMEN!
Welcome, Diane! Getting things done at deadline is an inherent trait of a writer!
Glad you’re joining us ;-D