Friday, January 31, 2020

Interview with the Founder of Emerald Lake Books


                 Related image


Tara R. Alemany is the founder of Emerald Lake Books, a boutique hybrid publishing company. She is also a multi-award-winning author and speaker, as well as a serial entrepreneur. (She started her first company more than 30 years ago at the age of 19.) The combination of her extensive business experience and writing skills enabled her to create a unique publishing company that blends coaching and publishing to help her authors successfully use their books to build their business or brand.

1.            Tara, as the publisher of Emerald Lake Books, what have you seen to be the formula for success as a hybrid book publisher?

A wise man once told me that there is a market for every business. It’s just a matter of making sure that your ideal client knows you exist.  It’s the same when it comes to publishing. Authors have options these days. They can work with a traditional publisher, self-publish or work with a hybrid publisher. There’s no single right answer. But each publishing model has its pros and cons.  As an author, it’s your responsibility to match up the needs of you and your book with the publishing model that’s the best solution for you. A reputable, high-quality hybrid publisher is the perfect solution for an author who wants to use a book as part of the marketing of their business or brand. We provide the author with more creative control and a shorter timeline to publication, while providing professional services that reflect well on the author and their brand.

2.      What kind of books/genres do you look for? Why?

In our experience, books that target a niche market are the best. It’s easier for an author to connect with the reader because they can be very clear about who they are writing for and what issue the reader is trying to solve. So often, an author writes what they are passionate about. Words tumble onto the page, eager to be helpful. However, if the author doesn’t have a clear picture of who their ideal reader is, there can be a disconnect between what the reader is looking for and what the author has written—not because the author isn’t knowledgeable enough, but because the information wasn’t organized the way the reader needed to process it in order to achieve the desired effect. But when you write with a specific reader in mind, the connection between the reader’s needs and the book’s proffered solution can be made much more easily.

3.      What inspired you to pen Publish with Purpose: A Goal-Oriented Framework for Publishing Success?

As Emerald Lake Books developed as a brand, we created a coaching program for our authors that prepares them for the release, launch and long-term marketing of their book. Our authors repeatedly keyed in on certain exercises that helped them the most, not just with their book, but with the vision they had for their business and author brand. These exercises helped them get clear on who they wanted to work with, what they had to offer, and why they were doing it. But it also helped them identify what made them unique and set them apart from the competition. Sharing some of our program helps other authors in their own writing journey while improving the quality of books being published.  But it also allows us to showcase what makes us different as a publisher and invites those who are interested to explore working with us.

4.      What advice do you have for the struggling writer?

Often, when we sit down to write, we think about what we want to say. Instead, if you think about your ideal reader and what it is they need to hear, it takes the pressure off. It’s easier to answer a question than to write a monologue. So, ask yourself the questions they might have. How would you respond to them? Start writing there. The rest will flow. I would also recommend finding a trusted group of people who are willing to critique your work for you. That might mean joining a local writers’ group or finding or creating your own critique group, but being able to share and receive writing critiques is a powerful way to improve your writing, even if it’s someone else’s work being reviewed.

5.      What mistakes do many writers make when putting their book together?

Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, there is a “story arc” to follow. Sometimes, it seems that it’s easier for fiction authors to keep that arc in mind. Yet nonfiction authors need to pay attention to it too.  Nonfiction authors take their readers on a journey. So, it’s important that you start at the beginning, where they currently are. Describe where they’re going to go and what they can anticipate along the way, so that they’re prepared for the journey. Then tell them how to get there, instructing them along the way with the key pieces of information they need to reach their intended final destination. And once they get there, remind them of how far they’ve come and how much fun it was to reach their new destination. When we remember that the reader is our audience, it makes for much more compelling material.

6.      How can authors get to identify or know who their ideal reader is – and how to market to him or her?

There are many ways to identify your ideal reader; too many to cover here unfortunately. But I’ll touch briefly on a couple.  Sometimes, it’s simply picking a specific family member or friend who you know would benefit from or enjoy what you’re writing, and then writing specifically for them. I did that with one of my books, The Best is Yet to Come. Or if you’re writing about how to do a specific thing or solve a particular problem, ask yourself who has that problem? Jot down some defining character traits for them. This is where writing for a niche market comes in handy.  When you have an ideal reader in mind, everything you write, from the book to your marketing copy, becomes more conversational and targeted. It’s easier for the reader to determine whether you’re addressing them or not, so they can appropriately self-select. “Yes, I’m part of that audience.” Or, “No, that’s not me at all.”

7.      What is “goal-oriented publishing”?

Goal-oriented publishing is the methodology we developed for publishing our books. For every book that’s written, there are essentially three goals that need to be considered for the book to be a success. The first two are straight-forward, but the last is a bit more esoteric.

1.       What was the reader’s goal when they opened the book and started to read?
2.       What was the author trying to accomplish for their business or brand by writing the book?
3.       What impact is the book intended to have?

When we write, our words are far-reaching. They can change the life of someone we will never meet. And by changing their life, they respond and act differently, creating changes in their own circle of influence. Those ripples of change extend outward, impacting others as they go. While this often happens organically, being able to envision what that would look like often provides the fuel an author needs to press on with the difficult task of marketing their book.

8.      Lastly, why do you love about books and working in the book publishing industry?

When I was young, books became my sanctuary. I used stories as a way to escape things that confused me and find friends who would always be there. Yet as I grew, I became more aware that words have both the power to build up or tear down. Since it’s easy to tear things down, I developed a deep appreciation for anyone who strove to build others up. It’s why we emphasize that we work with positive people. We want to work with those who are the problem-solvers, the inspirers, the bridge-builders, encouragers and leaders in our world. It doesn’t matter what genre they write so much as it does the attitude and approach they take to what they’re doing. I love the fact that books permit authors to give the best of who they are. And we get to be a part of helping them do that successfully.


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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.

Thursday, January 30, 2020

How Authors Can Be Provocative To The Media




Any dope can write a book or blog post, but only a few will get the lions share of media attention.  Why?

Is it because they wrote a great book? Not necessarily.  

Who says a book is great? How can the media see a book is great until someone convinces them to read it? 

No, media coverage is not often doled out in proportion to how great a book is, whatever the standard that’s used to define greatness.

Is it because an author is already famous? Certainly fame begets fame. The media is more open to listening to a known entity than an unknown one but the media also wants fresh voices and is certainly looking for new, unique, and interesting faces.

Is it because the book actually reveals secrets, breaks news, or says something about news makers? 

Some books definitely get covered by the media if they are books that already feed information to pre-existing funnels of interest. If the media is already covering Trump, the Olympics, or global climate change, your book, if it adds to or even changes the discussion, will get a serious look.

Is it because a book is popular or a best seller? 

Absolutely. The media follows what people like and feeds it back to us.  But there are only so many best-sellers out there.

Is it because the book is controversial or warns us of something, predicts a huge event, sites a major trend, or profiles an up-and-coming star? Perhaps.

But what really gets media coverage is a provocative spokesperson and that could be you.

Are you:

·         Crazy?
·         Outrageous?
·         Accusatory?
·         Funny and entertaining?
·         Insightful?
·         Confrontational?
·         Inspirational?
·         Abusive and nasty?
·         Extremely funny?

To be provocative you need to say and do things that challenge the norm, upset people, and turn things upside down. You need to give off a certain aggressive, energized vibe. So what goes into a provocative message?

·         Your specific word selection.
·         The tone and sound of your words.
·         Strong images to support your statements.
·         Lots of energy, enthusiasm, and emotion expressed.
·         Challenge things/make demands.
·         Be accusatory, demanding or revealing.
·         Sell hope against the odds.
·         Sound borderline drunk, nuts, or even hostile.
·         Be dramatic and sensational.
·         Tell jokes that are sure to offend.

To be provocative you have to imagine that you are the hero to a traumatic moment or you are the victim of an elaborate scheme. You live in the extremes – nothing is mediocre, normal, or grey- it’s all clearly black or white.  

You are divisive, confident, and strong. You agitate and make others feel uncertain of what you will say or do next. You operate without anything tying your hands or holding you back, yet what appears to be spontaneous is scripted.  You are in control – but you seek to stir chaos around you.

Can you be provocative?

Yes, you can stimulate, excite, or provoke a debate. You can ignite a powerful dialogue that is worthy of media attention. Push, prod, and get loud.

Give it a try.


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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Which Skills Are Critical For Marketing A Book Successfully?

                      Image result for skills images

So many skills are needed to navigate our lives. Think about it.  At school or work, with family and friends, or in other settings, one needs to know how to act, what to say, how to assert oneself, and how to not be a problem or burden. Well, book marketing calls upon and requires your mastery of a whole host of skills. Are you equipped?

In all facets of life, you’ll no doubt need to do well at interacting and socializing, staying informed, being motivated, developing your self-awareness, speaking up, making friends, collaborating, confronting wrong-doers, and developing your emotional intelligence. All of this will help you be better at marketing a book as well.

You will need to:

·         Define which skills are most important to promote a book.
·         Identify which ones you lack and seek ways to improve.
·         Lean on your strengths and accept your shortcomings.

Marketing a book certainly involves some measure of:

·         Assertiveness
·         Persuasiveness.
·         Communication.
·         Energy.
·         Intelligence.
·         Personality.
·         Creativity.
·         Street savvy.
·         Smiles.
·         Organization.
·         Confidence.
·         Optimism.

So what do you do if you:

·         Are shy?
·         Don’t feel comfortable asking others for favors?
·         Lack the will or energy to chase down opportunities?
·         Don’t think you are very convincing.
·         Really don’t feel up to the task of creatively pitching yourself?

The solutions are simple:

·         Outsource some things to others.
·         Ignore some things and accept they won’t get done.
·         Uncomfortable or not, try to help yourself by doing some things.
·         Don’t psyche yourself out – you can do more than you think you can – so give it a shot.

Once you begin doing something – anything – to establish your brand, market your message, and promote your book – you feel unchained. Suddenly, you succeed at something, maybe something small, and now you can build on this. Success breeds success. Media begets media. One thing leads to another - provided you keep trying.

Don’t add the failures up – only the wins. We lose all of the battles never fought, so seek to win a few by engaging the battlefield. If you believe in your book and hope to change the world, you will find the courage and skill necessary to market your book!


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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Witness The Power Of Books In Our Fledgling Democracy


Image result for first amendment images

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton will soon to release a book that corroborates the impeachment case against President Donald J. Trump, that there was a quid pro quo full-on press by the president to force Ukraine to dig up dirt on his 2020 opponent in exchange for the release of Congress-approved military aide of $400 million.  The reason this is important is not just because the president stands trial, but because once again we witness the power of book publishing, a free press, and the First Amendment.

Whether you like the president or think he’s guilty or believe the punishment should be impeachment, it doesn’t matter. What is important is that our nation allows, even encourages, the publishing of such books. For democracy to survive or thrive, it must operate under a system of checks and balances.  The fourth estate, our media, serves us well in that regard.

Now, I don’t know exactly what’s in Bolton’s book.  I just hear what the news media reports. I also don’t know, if given the chance to testify would Bolton’s testimony prove to be factual or damaging. But the idea that, as a trial is underway, where one political party seeks to squash the calling of any witnesses, and where the accused invokes executive privilege more to cover up the truth than to protect national secrets, a book can make headlines before it is published and possibly force a great turn of events in our nation’s history is amazing. It’s also necessary.

You may write books for any of a million reasons – fame, fortune, branding – or to share a good story and an empowering message. Fine. But books that potentially impact and influence the governing of our nation and keep our democracy alive, well, that is truly beautiful.

On the other hand, what if Bolton is lying or sharing third-party anecdotes and has no new evidence to support his claims? What if the book is a tool of revenge against his former employer?  What if he hopes the spotlight of the of the trial enhances his book sales?

The only way to find out is to:

·         Read his book.
·         Have him testify.
·         Have other relevant witnesses testify.

The House of Representatives did an injustice to put forward a sloppy impeachment case, rushed through without all of the evidence or proper procedure normally afforded such an event. But the Senate can correct it if the goal is truth and justice. They should let everything be exposed and then vote based on the facts and rule of law.

As the nation witnesses firsthand how our government of politics before people really works, a book with some possible insights or facts looms over a trial that lacks real substance.  

May free speech lead the way to keep our fledgling democracy in check.


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Look For These Book Marketing Lessons All Around You



Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.