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Authors and Income

July 8th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

I read a very interesting article today about authors and income.  The publishing world is going through so many changes and this article proves it.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/08/authors-incomes-collapse-alcs-survey

Children’s writer Mal Peel discussed her income here.

Mal Peet, whose children’s novels have won prizes from the Carnegie medal to the Guardian award, said his income from books had “dwindled really significantly” over the past four years. In the past, he said, he received royalty cheques of up to £30,000 for a six-month period. In the last half of 2013, his royalties for all his novels were just £3,000.

In this age of published, it must be about more than the book.  It has to be about what you can offer after readers close the book.

1. Seminars

2. Licensing

3. Merchandising

Amazon change

January 21st, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

I saw this yesterday on Amazon’s newsletter.

Minimum Electronic Payment Threshold Removed

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) authors who receive their royalty payments electronically will now be paid in full every month for all their sales without any minimum thresholds for payout. This gives authors greater access to their earnings and a more reliable payment schedule, 60 days after the month royalties are earned. It’s easy to set your account payment preference for the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) royalty payment option. Simply sign in to your KDP account and under “Your Royalty Payments,” select EFT for each applicable marketplace.

This is great news because many authors have difficulties getting payment information.  Now authors can access their accounts and receive payments, no matter the amount, every month!

Radio Show Interview Tips

December 3rd, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Radio shows are a great way to spread awareness for any topic.   With Blog Talk Radio and online radio shows, there are many opportunities for guest appearances.   I am releasing these tips for anyone looking to do a radio interview.   Enjoy!
1.    Be sure to practice answers to prepared questions.   Keep in mind that the host may contribute their own questions.   Try to limit your answers to a few sentences.

2.    Do a mock interview via phone.

3.    Make sure you write down 5 tips you wish to say:  Mention the name of the book, where to find it, why you wrote it, what it can contribute to readers, why is it different?

4.    Dress as if you were standing in front of an audience even if the interview is on the phone.  Dress up.  It will keep you in the zone.  It’s easier to think professionally when you feel good about your appearance.

5.    Keep track of time.  If the answer is longer than 2 minutes, make sure to wrap up.

6.    Use a land line for the interview.

7.    Don’t be nervous.  Be yourself. Remember you are the expert and have a lot of information to share.

8.    The host’s job is to make you look good!  Trust that they will!

Elmore Leonard Passes Away

August 20th, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Elmore Leonard passed away this morning from complications from a stroke.  He was the author of crime novels Get Shorty and 3:10 to Yuma.  He was 87.  Our thoughts are with his family.

Although I blog every week about pop culture topics and other issues that interest me, my primary focus with my company is promoting authors.
I love reading and working with creative people.   Yesterday I was surprised to hear Amazon’s Associate Program will no longer be available to residents of Minnesota.
The Associate program is a source of supplemental income for bloggers and web site owners.  They advertise books and other products sold by Amazon.  The products are related to the content of the web site.  It’s a program many authors use.
As of June 30, Minnesotans will no longer have access to the program.
Why?  Amazon asserts they are opposed to being required to collect sales taxes from Minnesota residents.
What is shocking about this is America’s highest court, the United States Supreme Court found in Quill v. North Dakota that companies are only required to collect sales tax in the states where they maintain a physical domicile.  Amazon does not have any physical locations in Minnesota.
As a result, by implementing the online sales tax/ solicitor nexus law, the state is circumventing the Supreme Court to obtain more money for the state.
Hopefully this situation will be resolved.