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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Karen Syed, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 7 of 7
1. What I Did Today

Goodness and it's only 3:30 pm. I have been asked a lot lately what I do all day. Well, other than my Bon-Bon binges, I actually manage to squeeze in a little work. I thought I might give a little glimpse into what I've done so far today. I figure it is early, but I started early. So, here goes.

5:00 a.m. woke up with swollen eye (might have been the Udder Butter I put on my feet before bed seeping in when I rubbed my eyes)

5:05 husband put eye drops in-stung like a mother!

5:10 stopped whining and got up to rinse with very expensive eye was. More stinging...dang!

5:15 stumbled to desk and booted up.

5:20 read 74 e-mails, responded to 12, cleaned out 365 old messages from inbox, including 94 unrequested, unsolicited, and not meeting our standard guidelines for submission.

5:40 stumbled to kitchen to make decaf coffee. Dang heart, why bother with no kick, but I keep thinking my body might be tricked into believing it is real coffee.

6:00 ate bowl of blueberries while formatting contracts for a YA and a Mystery I am offering for.

6:15 sent contracts via e-mail.

6:30 stopped staring into space.

6:31 typed in 26 addresses for Teresa Burrell from Printers Row so she can send pre-ordered books to customers (see article at Pop Syndicate)

7:00 ate slice of homemade white bread that I made yesterday (yes I am a domestic goddess as well).Gotta love bread machines-recipes gladly accepted for breads!

7:15 husband got up and we kissed. I am also a great wife.

7:20 Addressed and stamped several envelopes containing contracts for new authors (including Martin Bartloff, Nick Valentine, Zander Vyne, and a new story from Candy Caine) and mailed a few advance/royalty checks.

7:45 answered six more e-mails, worked on order for Nikki Leigh's new potential best seller Book Promo 201. I think all authors should have this book. 13 of my authors have placed orders.

8:00 rearranged books under shipping table-termites...gack!!!! Just what I need. You should see what they do to books, but they don't eat laminate, just paper. How odd...

8:30 talked with husband about disbursement of bills and credit payments. I hate that part, but we can actually talk about it now instead of fighting. PROGRESS!

8:45 Made deposit from funds collected at Printers Row last weekend for book sales. Biggest single deposit for company to date. It was THRILLING.

9:00 showered and got dressed. Wearing skirt I made all by myself. Yup, domestic goddess.

9:30 realized I should have left 15 minutes ago to meet Katie Hartlove at Panera in Bowie for Erotique (check out my weekend Blog Sole Seduction at The Allure of Passion) business session. Took medicine, all 156 pills (okay not that many, but it feels like it some days) and stuffed laptop into bag.

9:40 kissed husband (my favorite parts of the day)

10:20 arrived at Panera, Katie waiting.

10:30 discussed review possibilities for Erotique shorts (any reviewers out there willing to review short erotica eBooks?

10:45 Discussed possible upgrade to Erotique web site and how to increase actual sales of Erotique stories. Readers are looking but not buying. What makes you buy a short story? What makes you NOT buy one?

11:00 Worked on trying to intensify the blurbs for Erotique shorts to inspire readers to buy. Check out new blurb for Bedroom Tiger by Angela Lee.

11:15 posted several snippet ads for Bedroom Tiger on Twitter and Facebook.

11:45 Set up schedule for new Erotique stories for future publication. Our schedule is not full, but we have high hopes that we can entice erotica authors onto our team and help us build Erotique into a huge success.

12:15 p.m. Decided to focus some promotional energy on building the visibility of Erotique Press. New authors with fresh stories would be a great thing for us right now. Katie works really hard.

12:45 Katie had to go, so I stayed to work a little longer. Answered 9 more e-mails. Got two responses from offers to publish. Exciting stuff.

1:00 developed a generic plan for authors to market their eBooks with an eye to toward actually selling them.

1:15 Made contact with bookstore to get copies of Murder Off the Books and Murder Takes the Cake by Evelyn David to Village Books in Pleasantville, NY for a signing on the upcoming Saturday.

1:30 Packed up and headed back to office.

1:45 Stopped at Post office to mail books.

2:15 stopped at office to confirm extermination of termites...ack!!!!

2:45 Back at desk. Spoke with Evelyn David about upcoming booksigning events in NY.

3:00 Answered 11 more e-mails.

3:15 Discovered my new review for the DVD Notorious is up at Pop Syndicate! Yea!! My first review for them, many more to follow.

3:20 packed up order to go to Village Books.

3:30 decided to write this Blog.

3:54 Finished this Blog Post.

7 Comments on What I Did Today, last added: 6/19/2009
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2. On the Road Again and Nikki Leigh

I know, my authors are groaning again as well, "You're sick." and "You need to rest." are their favorite sayings right now, but I have to tell you, a little bit of heart failure is not going to keep me from selling books and seeing old friends.

I am excited about this weekend. It will be my first time at the VA Festival of the Book. Katie Hartlove (Erotiqué Press) and I will be heading in on Friday to get ready for a day of selling books on Saturday. You'll want to check us out; we will have some really AWESOME deals. I'm just saying.

But I am mostly excited because I will get to see and chat with one of my favorite people again. I met Nikki Leigh online several years ago and she has become a bit of a role model for me. She is not only a great author, but an excellent business woman, a promotional guru, and a pretty neat gal. That's right, I said it.

Nikki does something that few can, she writes non-fiction that teaches and entertains at the same time. What she teaches is marketing and promotions for authors, as well as business techniques for everyone. I was fortunate enough to be featured, not once but twice in her book 365 Foolish Mistakes Smart Managers Make (w/a Shri Henkel).

Nikki is one of those people who welcome you into her world and makes you want to stay and learn. I am currently reading an advanced copy of her upcoming book Book Promo 201. It is captivating. Not a word you usually hear where non-fiction business books are involved, but it truly is. My Palm T/X and I have bonded over the last couple nights with this book and we are both very happy. We love this book.

If you are an author, or a business person, you need to look into Nikki's books. She makes learning ainless. None of like to admit that we don't know what we are doing, but I will say right now, that before I started reading Book Promo 201, I thought I had it all going on. But I have learned so much throughout the pages of this book.

This isn't just for authors. If you have ANYTHING to promote, Nikki is your gal. Check back in a couple days for my official review. This was just random praise.

If you are in the Charlottesville, VA area on Saturday March 21, 2009, you should look Nikki up and tell her I sent you. Then after you talk to her, come on over to the Echelon Press table and take advantage of our great deals.

Karen Syed

9 Comments on On the Road Again and Nikki Leigh, last added: 4/6/2009
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3. Missing Anthology Debut

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4. Back to Basics

Everything has a beginning. Some things begin small and grow into dynamic entities with endless potential. But enough about me. And yes, that is me on the day I was born.

My post is actually about the publishing industry. I'm not here to dissect the publishing industry, but to offer up a solution to the declining sales and excessive returns plaguing us.

It seems to me that there is entirely too much back scratching going on in the industry. Perhaps if we took our industry back to the basics we might find a glimmer of hope.

Let's start with what got me on this track. An independent bookseller recently told me that they didn't order our books because we don't advertise in the big publications-they mentioned Publishers Weekly. Well, I'm very sorry to not get their orders, but their response to me as to why this mattered was not goo enough for me to consider changing my policy on this.

I asked, " Do you read PW every week?"

They answered, "No, only some weeks if I get to the library."

"So you don't subscribe to PPW?"

"Gosh no, it's too expensive for an annual subscription."

So I ask, " So how do you know I don't advertise?"

"Because you're a POD publisher, ya'll never do."

Our conversation ended there. What is it with the POD issue? People get over it. It is a TYPE OF PRINTING. Not a lifestyle choice.

My point is, here is an indie bookseller criticizing an indie publisher for not advertising in a magazine (they charge thousands of dollars for a one week ad) when said bookseller admits that the magazine in question is too expensive for them to purchase. Why not just accept things as they are and support your fellow indie?

At Echelon we make every effort to keep our operations basic so we can keep our expenses down. We do advertise in industry magazines, mostly in Crimespree as that is where a large part of our market is. We do some sporadic ads in other publications like Mystery Scene and The Strand, but ads are expensive. Advertisements are a risky proposition, as so many people who view them have become desensitized to them. We already know what we want, and ads rarely encourage us.

So doesn't it make more sense that we spend less money on things that probably won't work, and continue to produce an excellent product at the least expense so we can keep our retail prices down for the readers? It is all about the reader, isn't it? We don't need fancy ad spots, fancy mailers, fancy whatever. Just the basics.

Same thing with returns. We know returns happen, but they can be eliminated when publishers become more willing to deal with readers/consumer. At Echelon we love booksellers, we will do whatever we need to in order to make the relationship profitable for both parties. But that doesn't mean we can't sell direct to the readers. It has to work for everyone. That's why the reader is just as important to us as the bookseller.

Without them, we need not publish.

We don't spend thousands of dollars on fancy web designers, but if you check out our directory page, I guarantee you will find an interesting variety of great books to purchase at great prices.

Echelon Press Directory


7 Comments on Back to Basics, last added: 1/5/2009
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5. The Beauty of Life in Black & White

2 Comments on The Beauty of Life in Black & White, last added: 1/3/2009
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6. Setting the Stage for Success

It's early morning, you've had those first six cups of coffee, and now it is time to write. The sun isn't even up yet, so why should you be expected to be up and creative no less? Because that is what you picked to be. Creative, I mean, not so much up.

How in the blazes are you going to get any stinking words on that page, when you can't even keep your eyes open? Well, there are a few things you might consider. We're going to take a New Age approach to getting the creative juices flowing.

Let's start with a little bit of
Aromatherapy. I won't go into much detail on this because there is just so much to be said. You can check the link for yourself, but I suggest two things. First, I love the smell of cinnamon in the morning. It is crisp and yet subtle. For me, it speaks of all things exciting and exotic and this is a definite stimulant to my brain activity. The second thing I like is lemon. Lemon has an invigorating quality that refreshes and is also a great stimulant. Why do you think there are so many cleansers with lemon smell? It makes it not suck quite as much that we need to use them.

Okay, we've got the smells in place. Let's consider the sounds around us. Some people prefer the quiet when working or relaxing. I, on the other hand, need the noise to keep me grounded. Otherwise I am listening for things that aren't happening. No focus. I try to set my music to my task. If I need to write a love scene, I might listen to
John Tesh or Kenny G, music with no words. If I am writing something thrilling or an action scene, I might pop in a soundtrack like The Pirates of the Caribbean. Lots of drums and crescendos. Another thing I often use is music that is in another language. Big fan of Andrea Bocelli and Enya.

Finally, there is your setting. Environment is very important to the creative process or simply to a positive state of mind. Whether you write or not, you need to be surrounded by things that make you happy and things that have positive influences on your thoughts. Art, pictures, colors that speak to you. It is impossible for me to be creative in a sterile white environment. My walls are covered with posters on
inspiration and success. I have a wall of success with the awards and certificates I have won over the years. I even have a few framed reviews that were particularly good. Make your space your own. If you have to share space with someone else, find things that you can move in easily while it is your time. Fresh flowers, a special quilt or throw over the chair beside you. A few trinkets to make it your own. I feel good when I look at my fluffy Tinker Bell pen on my desk.

Nothing is too silly when it comes to putting yourself into the right frame of mind to create something. Don't be afraid to think outside the box if it will help you write better, create better, or just feel better. After all, you are the most important thing in your life and you deserve the extra little things to make what you do easier and more enjoyable.

Blog Book August Challenge #4
© Karen L. Syed

6 Comments on Setting the Stage for Success, last added: 8/4/2008
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7. Living for a Dream


An Interview with Emerging Author


Emma Larkins







Q: How does one decide they want to be an author, as opposed to a writer?

A: I don’t think that one decides to be a writer. I’ve been a writer all my life. You’re a writer just like you’re a reader, or a painter, or a knitter. It’s something you do that satisfies you, makes you feel whole. Deciding to become an author, on the other hand, means that you commit to making a living from writing. To do that, you not only have to write (which you already know you enjoy), you also have to edit, network, promote, blog, connect, submit, apply, get rejected, take classes, join forums, and perform research, among other things. These are important to success, but aren’t always as fun as the writing itself, and a lot of effort goes into the process.

Q: When did you first decide you wanted to see your writing published?

A: Ever since I wrote my first real story in the sixth grade (a horror story about a swamp-lizard creature) I’ve fantasized about having my name printed in a book. This fantasy would immediately be followed with a “Yeah, but that will never happen.” My first positive, determined thought that I really did have a chance at getting published came after Karen Syed told me that she would be very disappointed if I gave up on writing. It took that wake up call to get me to commit to my goal.


Q: How long have you been working on this?

A: I’ve been writing fiction on and off for about fourteen years. I’ve been seriously dedicated to getting published for about four months. Wow, now that I think about it, it feels much longer than that!

Q: Are you sorry yet?

A:Some days are better than others. I just found out that one of my idols, Tamora Pierce, will be at my local library in a few weeks. That was a good day. Some days my website hits are up and people are commenting on my blog and accepting my LinkedIn invitations. Other days it seems like the entire world ignores me, and all I can do is beat myself to a pulp. On those days I stare at my blog, turn red with embarrassment, and say bad things about myself. I’m trying to get over that.

Q: What steps have you taken so far to transform your hobby as a writer into the committed (and not to the funny farm) struggles of an author?

A: When you write for fun, you can always give up. You can take a break for a week or a month or ten years, and no one will care. So I decided to make people care. I tell everyone I know that I’m working on a novel, which has given me a degree of accountability. I even went to a networking event for the Stanford School of Engineering with “Emerging Author” as the title on my nametag! Also, I try and write new fiction material for fifteen minutes every single day. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it adds up. And I’m dedicating a lot of thought and time to the networking/marketing side of the equation, so that when I do become published, I’ll have a large market that already knows I exist and is excited to support me.

Q: What would it take to make you give up and quit your quest?

A: My first instinct is to say “Are you crazy? Nothing in the world will make me give up my quest!” However, I have a strong practical streak in addition to my creative streak. If I really, truly, could not find a way to support myself as an author, I would have to find a solution to that issue. I have no desire to be a starving artist. Even if that was the case, I would never truly ‘quit’ my quest – instead, my quest would evolve. I just read a great article titled “The 21st Century Writer” by Patrick Tucker. Patrick says that traditional publishers are publishing fewer and fewer books the old-fashioned way. So maybe I won’t be an author of a novel published using that method. But I’ll always have my blog, and my audience, and my network, so something good is bound to happen to me. I’m not going to tie myself to one particular definition of success.

Q: Where do you find the motivation to keep going?

A: I have this image in my head, based on my own experience. A young child (I’ll make her a girl in this case, but it could just as easily be a boy) lies in her bed with a flashlight, the covers pulled over her head. In front of her is my book, which she’s reading avidly. Her eyes glow and her heart races, and she’s so into the book that she can’t stop reading, even though her parents told her to turn out her lights hours ago. It’s hard being a child, harder than anyone gives her credit for, and the book allows her to live the life of someone besides herself: a warrior, a wizard, a queen. No one can take those things away from her. That vision keeps me going.

Q: Has anyone or anything been particularly inspiring or helpful to you in your journey?

A: All the teachers and professors I’ve had over the past twenty-five years. I’m not going to list them here, for fear of forgetting someone, but each one has had a unique impact on me. Karen Syed, who kicked my butt and showed me that I’m in control of my own destiny. Flylady, who keeps telling me ‘you can do anything for fifteen minutes!’ Jonathan Maberry, who drilled into my head the idea of online promotion. Chellie Campbell, who’s inspirational writings I read daily. And last but certainly not least, my wonderful Dino, who has more faith in me than I could ever wish for.

Q: And because everyone expects this one, what advice would you give other aspiring authors?

A: People are your greatest asset. Get to know as many as you can. Treat them well, care about them, nurture your relationships. There’s this idea of an author as someone who sits in a dark room secluded from the world and writes a masterpiece and makes a huge bundle of money. That happens very, very, rarely, and in the end, do you really want to be that person? The other 99.9% of us can benefit hugely from promoting ourselves, letting people get to know us, building our own brands. Even if you don’t end up as the author of a wildly successful novel, you are bound to find success in one way or another if you prove to the world that you’re valuable and worth knowing. And believe me: you ARE worth knowing!




Emma Larkins is an emerging author who blogs at her Emerging Author site about her journey as a writer seeking her place in the world, detailing along the way her thoughts on writing, publication, and promotion. She has previously published an article on the website Feminine Aspects.


© Karen L. Syed and Emma Larkins
Blog Book Tour August 2008 Challenge #1

5 Comments on Living for a Dream, last added: 8/4/2008
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