Free Double-Signed Copy of my book

Hello there, Friends! I was interviewed on the Women's Memoirs website recently. Part two, which is all about book marketing is now live! But here's the best part; if you leave a comment, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a double-signed copy of Breaking the Code.

My father is only doing local events with me, so a book signed by him is becoming quite rare. This is your opportunity to get one for yourself...Free! Nothin' better than free, right? Here's the link to the interview;

http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-book-business/memoir-author-shares-her-marketing-experiences/

Photo Friday: The Wall

The photo you're looking at was taken in the lobby of Sourcebooks, Inc. I had no idea what exactly was in each of those frames but the row of them was impressive, so I snapped the pic.

When I got back from Chicago, I emailed my editor to ask about them. What I learned is that each framed item represents something Sourcebooks is particularly proud of. Book covers are in many of the frames. Some are there because they are best-sellers. Others are there because the cover art is particularly stellar. And apparently, there are also framed letters from presidents up there. Wow! I wanna be on that wall. No really. I do. So, if anyone from Sourcebooks is reading this - let it be known. Karen Fisher-Alaniz wants to be framed. (couldn't resist)

You hear people talk about a Wall of Fame. But this wall was different. I love the idea of having a wall, or some other place, in your house where you can highlight what you're proud of. It would be more of a Wall of Pride...or something like that. So, if you created a Wall of Pride, what would be on it? What accomplishments would be recognized there?

I'm going to have to think about this one. ~Karen

Photo Friday: For Whom the Drum Tolls (part two)

Since it's been a week since you read part one, let me re-set the scene for you (I think I've been hanging out with screenwriters too much). I've just participated in a day's worth of meetings about my book and the Sourcebooks team has been summoned via drum, to hear me read from my book.

I start to read. I'm a robot. I try to use inflection in my voice, but I'm so stinkin' nervous. My legs are shaking. Not my hands, or my head, but my legs. If something has to shake, legs are a good choice, I think. I've only read about three pages when my mouth goes dry. I don't mean, I need a sip of water, dry. I mean my mouth is a 20-year drought. But I make it to the end of the expected reading. Yippee! Done. Now, let's go home.

But Peter then asks, "Does anyone have any questions for Karen?"

Here's my Marsha Brady moment (you know the one where she's nervous about her driver's test, so she pictures the instructor in his underwear) Well, instead of picturing my teacher in his underwear, I stop everything to admit to my human weakness aka the deletion of every bit of saliva in my mouth! I ask for a glass of water - the one I left in the conference room. I take a polite sip. Then I guzzle and even discretely swish. The questions begin; I'm asked about my dad, about writing, and about research. All questions I have answers to. I slowly realize that I'm liking this. This is fun. I mean, not to sound conceited or anything but what's more fun than talking about yourself or something you know a lot about? Just as I get to the point of wanting to say, "Hey, you guys wanna hang out tonight?", it's over.

This was officially the very first book talk I've ever done. It wasn't stellar. It wasn't even good. But I did it and it was great practice. Will I be able to do it again? Absolutely!

But a few questions remain;
1. How is it possible that stress (apparently) makes saliva dry up?
2. What causes the body to shake when we're nervous? And how does it decide which limb to torture?

Photo Friday: For Whom the Drum Tolls (part one)

Let's be honest, meeting more than a dozen new people, even if they are there to make your book shine, is a little nerve-wracking. Yes, it is! But I loved it. I did really and truly! After a while, I became aware of people coming in and out of the room, taking stacks of chairs. My brain was stuck on my book and I probably wouldn't have noticed if Ronald McDonald was doing jumping jacks in the hallway. But after seeing the stacks of chairs going out, I had one tiny thought, "I wonder what they have going on today?" And then the thought was gone. Back to the book.

Peter had asked if I'd be willing to read the first few chapters of the book to the group at the end of the day. He'd given me a few days notice. "Sure!" says I, enthusiastically. I knew it was coming and I really wasn't that nervous. Until. There always has to be an "until" doesn't there? But I bet you'll never guess what this "until" was!

Setting: inside meeting room after multiple meetings. Late afternoon. Only my editor, Peter and I remain in the room.

Peter: "Well, you ready to do the reading in a bit?"
Me: "Sure."
Peter: "OK. Let me go call everyone."
Me: "OK."

Peter leaves room as I look over papers I'll be reading from.

*BANG-BANG-BANG-BUH-BANG-BANG-BANG*

The deep, earthy sound is completely out of place here.

Me: (thinking) What the heck was that? Man, this place is so darned creative. Obviously, someone is practicing on their conga drum. I bet the artists who created my book cover do not appreciate this (it was veeery quiet in their space).

I peek out the conference room door to see Peter putting the drum down. People are trickling out of their cubicles and offices. They're making their way to...THE chairs. OMG! This is officially my, "I wasn't nervous UNTIL..." moment.

I wasn't nervous UNTIL I heard the drum!

Remember the thought I'd had earlier on the stacks of chairs that kept leaving the conference room? Remember, I was wondering what they had going on? Yeah. Turns out it was ME! Time to be nervous.

And that drum, the one in the lobby of Sourcebooks, surrounded by books and plants, and accompanied by an onlooking bull, was to call all employees to the event.

Peter strolled back into the conference room.

Me: THAT'S how you call people? (ie: ever heard of an intercom?)

Peter: (shrugs) Yeah.

Hmmm... I watch people begin to fill the rows of chairs.Obviously, I am the only one perplexed by the drum. And to tell you the truth, I like it. Who needs technology when you can bang on a drum? I wonder if Sourcebooks employees fight over who gets to do it? OK, maybe not.

Next Time: The Reading

Photo Friday:

I've just turned in another manuscript of edits. So now, what to do...what to do? The answer? To continue writing the story in another form. The plan? To write two or three articles that are based on the subject in my book. For example, Guideposts magazine is a monthly Christian magazine that features first person essays. I've read it off and on for years and in fact was a finalist in their annual youth writing contest years ago. The articles will make you smile or make you cry - or maybe both within one essay. Although my book is not an overtly Christian book, there is most definitely an element of prayer and faith in it. So, I can see my story within it's pages.

Another theme in my book, or as a result of it (I hope) is that of personal history writing. Everyone has a story. My father's story was hidden. Over the years, we were able to bring it to the surface. I believe that many of us have similar stories that are buried. A woman's magazine might be interested in a story like this. So that's another possibility.

So, you can see where I'm going with this. Writing smaller, more condensed versions of my book, for magazine articles will allow me not only to share my story with an audience that may or may not buy the book, but will also serve as a mini advertisement of the book. It's a sort of sneak peak into it, similar to what you'd do if you were standing in a bookstore with my book in your hands.

So, that's my next step on this vast journey. Always a joy! Karen

My book is where?

I got a strange message on my Facebook page today. It was a friend congratulating me on my book being on Amazon. Funny thing was...I had no idea. Apparently, my publisher put it there.

My writing friend was sitting next to me at a coffee shop. And she was so excited she ran around with her laptop, showing it to anyone who would listen. BREAKING THE CODE comes out in November so I just wasn't expecting it to be happening this soon. Wow!

When I was in Chicago visiting Sourcbooks, one of the things I was surprised by was all of the pre-publication work that has to be done. There are so many things that an author can and should do prior to a book launch. It's about marketing and publicity! So, next on my agenda is to figure out how to create an author page on Amazon. Wish me luck.

If you want to pre-order my book, you can do so on the Amazon site. Just put in "Karen Fisher-Alaniz" or "Breaking the Code memoir"You even get a reduced rate for pre-ordering.

OK...how do I get down off this Cloud #9 so I can get something done today?

Photo Friday: Podcasts

OK, I'm totally addicted to podcasts! I admit it! And it all started with the podcast that Togo is listening to in the photo - yes she really does that (but you can also transfer them to your Ipod or Zune for portability. Joanna Penn ("and that's pen with a double n")posts a new podcast every week. I practically OD'd on them when I first found her, which is very sad since now I have to actually wait for a new one to be posted. Joanna is a writer, speaker, blogger and business consultant. Her book, Pentecost just came out in February. But each week, she somehow finds the time to interview writers and those involved in the publishing industry. The interviews are lively and informative. Joanne is open to suggestions and responds in a timely manner to queries. I know, I had to ask for help transferring the podcasts to my Zune. She responded very nicely right away.

So, as I waited in the black hole for my editor to get back to me with his edits, this is what I did. It was time well-spent too. The great thing about podcasts is that you'll get things you wouldn't have in a regular interview. You can hear the person's personality and when they are slightly off center, their rabbit trails, which would no doubt be cut in a printed interview, are often the very thing I needed to hear.

I'll be sharing more along the way about my ventures into learning about marketing and publicity. And I'll happily share links to what I find. Happy Writing! ~Karen

The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true. -John Steinbeck
This quote is timely for me. I am finding that with the marketing of a book, you have to unlearn (at least for a time) everything your mother taught you. Women especially, are raised to not brag or boast. We're happy to sing someone elses praises but far less happy singing our own.

I am terribly uncomfortable doing things or saying things that amount to self-promotion. But in the world of book publishing, it's a necessity. Luckily, we soon-to-be authors have time to get accustomed to it.

During the time between book acceptance and book launch, we have a year or maybe two to gradually begin the task of promoting our work and thus, ourselves. I'm not even halfway through that time, so I can't say I'm completely comfortable with it. But I can say that it is becoming easier. Online promotion is easier and I'm working at getting comfortable with in-person promoting.

The amazing thing with in-person encounters is that somehow the subject of my book comes up all the time. It may be a quick comment by someone about a veteran or someone who says they want to be a writer. Whatever it is, life just keeps giving me opportunities to talk about my book. Sometimes I jump on the opportunity and sometimes I don't. There's a fine line between fitting it into conversation and forcing it into conversation. But it seems to be pretty natural for me. And I never go into a situation with a plan to talk about it.

A few years ago I was at a writing conference and listened to a speaker and agent. He said something that stuck with me. He said, "If your next door neighbor doesn't know about your book, I can't help you." In other words, as with Steinbeck's quote, you have to be so excited about your book that it oozes from your pores. I think that's starting to happen for me. How about you?

Because the Editor said so

photo: winter comes to washington state

Hello, friends - The editor at the publishing company I am working with is really great. I'm not a new writer, but I am new to publishing. This will be my first book to be published - hopefully among many to come. I am a researcher by nature and a lifelong learner. I've always said that if I could figure out a way to be a professional college student, I would spend the rest of my life in classes. But even with all the research I've done over the last few years, I still have a lot of questions.

Blogging is one of those things that you hear all kinds of advice on. It runs the gammut from, it's just a waste of time, to, every writer should have a blog. I like blogging. Even if nobody is reading this - but I know you are, I like writing. But with this new publisihng contract, I didn't want to do something that might have unintended consequences that I hadn't considered.

Since I don't have the publishing, marketing, and publicity knowledge that my editor does, I decided to run it by him. I asked Peter if there is any problem with me blogging about my experiences on this journey toward publication.

And here's what he said, "Blogging is great, no problem at all."

I guess that means he'd better be nice to me, or I'll blog about it. I wonder if all editors and agents feel the same way?

Title Change

A wise, writer-friend, suggested that my title, BREAKING THE CODE - A DAUGHTER'S JOURNEY, might not be enough information to draw the readers I want to. So, though it is a bit of a mouthful, the title is now, BREAKING THE CODE - A DAUGHTER'S JOURNEY INTO HER FATHER'S SECRET WAR. I think that says it far better. It gives a hint of the secret, as well as the hint that it has to do with some kind of war.

Titles are tricky, especially if you are immersed in the project. You forget that other people don't "get it" like you do. The code I refer to, for example, has a dual meaning, but of course the reader won't know that until they read the book.

Write Now! ~Karen

Is it time for a website?

I am told that it is wise and good to have your own website to promote your writing. And it is expecially beneficial when you are writing or have written a book. I don't want to wait until I have a book deal, so I began doing the research today by posting a question on Absolute Write website. So, in my "thinking out loud" mode, here's what I'd like to have on this website.

• a detailed bio
• photos-both historic (WWII) and current
• copies of a couple of the more than 400 letters my book is based on
• a link to myspace
• a link to my blog - of course
• links to valuable veteran sites
• links to my self-created info. on creating your own website
• a timeline
• a guestbook

And I want all this for...free! I am a starving artist you know. That's the part I am unsure of. I am not a techie at all. In fact most computerly things just leave me frustrated and running for the Blue Mountains where I plan to survive on the land...Ha! So I either need help or I need a super-simple web-hosting program. One that is as easy as setting up this blog would be nice, don't you think. Well, I'm up for suggestions if anyone has any.

Thanks once again

~Karen

Thinking, a Thick Book, and a Stranger

At the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association conference, I was priviledged to sit in on a session by an agent and one of his authors. The agent, Ken Atchity, has more than 40 years of experience in publishing and more than 15 years in the entertainment industry. The author, Royce Buckingham has one year of experience with Mr. Atchity. So I sat in on the session that they led together. The title of the session was, "New York to Hollywood and Back."

It was interesting to hear about the process of a writer and his agent/manager. I especially liked hearing it from the writer's point of view. But just like in church, the real lesson wasn't in the the sermon but in a few sentences that got me thinking. Mr. Buckingham talked about his journey. And there was one thing that really made me think. He said that when he is traveling, he is working. If he is driving for hours, he is thinking up a new novel. And after hours of doing this, he sometimes turns on the radio to take a break from it.

I just spent a week camping on the Oregon Coast. We stayed at a state park, so we had access to showers. We have a relic of a motorhome so we had running water and electricity. What we didn't have is internet, television, computer games or the like. And that's the way I like a vacation to be.

I went for a few walks alone. As I slipped on my somewhat soggy tennis shoes one morning, and pulled a sweatshirt over my head, I felt like I was missing something. I looked around. I had a good book. I'd brought along my computer on this vacation (battery included) and my notebook and journal. But I thought about Royces words. I went alone to the beach with nothing at all to do. How often do we do that? Do we need to be reminded to do so?

"I'll just think." I told myself. "I'll have no plan at all."

So I walked down to the beach. It was a little chilly and fog still lingered. I found a boulder to sit on and looked out past the sand to the ocean. I sat and sat. And then I sat some more. As the sun came over the hills behind me, I decided to head back to see if my family was awake yet. They weren't. So I sat beside the motorhome on a rickety lawn chair, with my computer propped on my lap. And I began to write another book. Yes. Another book!

I'd just spent an hour or more thinking. And during that time I put lines, sentences and paragraphs together. I'd written a book in my head. I'd titled chapters and designed the cover of it. I'd imagined speaking to groups about it. I'd imagined which photos I'd use in it. And now I began to use my hands to create what my mind had already completed.

After breakfast and a shower, I headed down to the beach again...this time with my family. A man came up beside me as I walked.

"I just have to know." He said. "What is that book you're reading?"

My kids walked on, avoiding this interaction with a stranger. Anything involving their mother and a book could take a while. I showed the man the title, "1,001 Ways to Market Your Book." It's a thick volume by John Kremer. Of course he next asked about the book I've written. I gave a short synopsis of my book, Breaking the Code- A Daughter's Journey. As he passed me, he said, "Good luck on your next book. I know it'll be good."

I was puzzled and he must have seen that I was. Did he misunderstand and think this was my second book?

"You will write another book." He said as if he knew. "I don't know what it will be about but I know it will be good."

I barely believed I'd just heard him say what he'd said. Crazy. Simply crazy. Or maybe crazy and miracle aren't so far apart. He walked quickly away down the sandy path and I couldn't even speak. I should have said something...anything. But I didn't. I should have told him I'd just started a new book that very morning. But I stood there with my proverbial mouth hanging open.

And it all started with time taken to think. Thinking is under-rated. When was the last time someone asked about what you'd been thinking about? I mean people say things like, "What are you doing?" Or "What time is it?" But when was the last time someone asked, "What have you been thinking about today?" And it's such a great question. I'm going to start asking it more. And I'm going to practice the fine art of thinking more too. Want to join me? -Karen Fisher-Alaniz

Book-Writers/Publishers Unite- Cool Site

Hi. I just wanted to share a cool place I just found. It's a new (March 2007) networking site for book-writers. It's similar to myspace; you can create your own page with photos, music etc. The site is owned by John Kremer, marketing guru and author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books (and many other books). According to the site, it is "A place to share, a place to give, a place to pass it on. For book authors, self-publishers, book publishers, publicists, marketers and others involved in writing, publishing, and marketing books."

So that's the premise. As I said, I am new to it, but I believe it has a good place in the book-writing and book-publishing arena. And if you've read any of the book marketing books, you know the value there is in networking. I have not yet had the time to really set my page up the way I want it or to participate too much. I'll put more time into it when things slow down a bit for me. In the meantime, go over and check it out at http://bookmarket.ning.com .

-Karen

Marketing - Learning from Harry Potter Hacker

OK. So you've probably heard the news. Earlier this week, a hacker posted a message claiming that he had a copy of the seventh and final installment of the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is due to be released on July 21, 2007.

All the talk, all the hype got me to thinking about marketing. Obviously a lot of dollars went into marketing this book. Most of us won't have that budget when our own book is ready to hit the shelves. So what's a J.K. Rowling (or James Patterson or whoever) wanna-be to do? Well slither on our belly like a snake and learn from a thief of course. Here's what he taught us:

• Use the internet/media to your advantage-It's there to disceminate information and that info. might as well be about you and your book.
• Controversy sells- No matter where you stand on this hacker's tactics and the truth or lack there of, the news of it got you talking and thinking and that's great advertising.
• Spidering- You can bet that every person who understands how it works, is trying to figure out an angle to get more hits on their website or blog.
• Keep adding new elements- Before, during and after your book is released, keep thinking of new angles to increase interest in your book.

Lessons from a hacker...hey I think I just spun my first web.

-Karen

Marketing- Blogging

Did you know?

• If you want people to visit your blog regularly, you need to post daily, or even multiple times a day.
• Interviewing people is a good way to increase traffic. It doesn't have to be J.K. Rowling. It can be anyone that you admire who has information that your readers would benefit from knowing.
• Controversy sells, so put on your pink tutu and do the chicken dance. But seriously, if there is something you have a strong opinion about, post it.
• Posting a blog roll, no not the kind you slather with butter, and not the kind that is hanging over your jeans. A blog roll is a list of other blogs you find interesting or entertaining. Creating a blog roll on your blog creates opportunities for networking (linking). Each time you add someone to your blog roll, ask that person if they'd be willing to do the same.
• To find blogs that might be interested in networking with you, simply google them (ie. writer+blogs). Be as specific or as general as you like. If you write only romance, google that. If you just want to link with writers of all species, google more generally.
• And finally, according to an unnamed source, it is best to keep blog posts short...unless you are extremely funny, which I am not. So this is the end.

-Karen