• Welcome
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
    • Book Coach
    • Book Proposal
    • Classes, Workshops & Retreats
    • Editorial Services
    • Literary Consultant
  • Why Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Blog
Readers
Audience identification
by, Jill Swenson
August 22, 2017

Who are your readers? They are not your family and friends. And don’t expect them to buy the book when it comes out. Unless they are in it. And that might not always be a good thing. Who are the people who don’t know you and will be pulled to your book enough to take money out of their pocket to buy it so they… [Read More]

Filed Under: audience identification, customers, reader expectations, Readers
No Comments
Getting the editorial feedback you need
by, Jill Swenson
January 6, 2015

Will you read what I’ve written? As soon as I think I’ve finished writing a new piece, there’s that irresistible urge to get feedback from a reader. What do you think, eh? It’s more than yearning for instant ego gratification. That’s pretty nice, too. But it won’t help me take my writing to the next level. The sense of accomplishment from getting it down on… [Read More]

Filed Under: 5 things I wish every writer knew, Brooke Warner, constructive criticism, copyediting, Huffington Post, Readers
2 Comments
Ithaca: A Book Lover’s Paradise
by, Ava Russell
July 9, 2013

Ithaca, New York is more than just “Gorges.” Luminosity recently released a study deeming Ithaca the smartest city in America based on cognitive training exercises. A thriving, progressive college town, Ithaca is certainly a center for learning and growth. But what else makes it such a hotspot for brain power? Ithaca boasts a community of writers, readers, and researchers; one that makes our small city… [Read More]

Filed Under: For the Love of Books, Ithaca, Local authors, local bookstores, Readers, used books
No Comments
The Four Bs to Be: Social Media for Authors
by, Jill Swenson
May 18, 2013

Social media marketing of books is an extension of the tried and true method of word-of-mouth advertising. Reviews and personal recommendations have historically  played a more fundamental role in a reader’s decision of what book to read than traditional advertising. Today friends and family share what they are reading on Facebook, GoodReads, Twitter. What technology adds to the mix is a way for authors and… [Read More]

Filed Under: Author, engage, friendly, present, Readers, share, social
2 Comments
Building your audience platform on a solid foundation
by, Jill Swenson
March 19, 2013

Some professional writers have a Facebook Page. Others use Twitter or Tumblr. Many non-fiction authors have a profile on LinkedIn. But every author needs a website under their own domain name. “Why, oh why, must I also build a website and blog, too?” I often get this question from clients who seek publication of their book manuscripts. Here’s why. You don’t own your own real… [Read More]

Filed Under: internet marketing, Readers, Website
No Comments
Comparative Title Analysis for your Book Proposal: The “How-To”
by, Jill Swenson
January 29, 2013

Last week here, I spelled out the reasons why a comparative title analysis is so important to a book proposal. Today, the “how to” complete your research on the competition in the marketplace of ideas will be presented. This step-by-step process involves research, reading, and a critical market assessment. 1. Identify the genre, even the sub-genre, of books you will be searching for in your… [Read More]

Filed Under: Amazon, audience, key terms, product description, Readers, Sales rankings, Subject headings
9 Comments
DRM – The Acronym that’s Deleting (or Saving?) Books
by, Claire Webber
November 3, 2012

DRM is an acronym that readers may not associate with good experiences – you’ll encounter it a lot in articles about the woman who had her digital library remotely wiped from her Kindle by Amazon  or ones about the poetic deletion of George Orwell’s 1984 from hundreds of e-reader devices. DRM is a topic that gets people in flames – and as a future author,… [Read More]

Filed Under: Copyright, DRM, e-readers, ebook, iPad, Kindle, libraries, Publishing, Readers, technology, US Copyright Law
No Comments
Identify your readers, dear writer
by, Jill Swenson
July 21, 2012

When you write a query letter and book proposal to an agent or acquisitions editor, there are certain things they want to know before considering your manuscript. They want to hear about you and your book, but what they really care about is the audience. What audience is your book intended for? Describe your readers in demographic detail. Where do your readers live? Work? Learn?… [Read More]

Filed Under: audience, Facebook, LinkedIn, Marketing, Platform, Readers, social media metrics, Twitter
1 Comment
Authors Add Face-to-Face to Your Social Media
by, Jill Swenson
September 17, 2011

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, websites, and other electronic media platforms are important to an author’s success in the book business today. Let’s face it; you can’t ignore social media anymore if you plan to publish your book. Last week on this blog, Danielle made the point that even if you have electronic platforms up and running, they are of little value unless you can provide… [Read More]

Filed Under: audience, Face-to-face, Readers, social media metrics
1 Comment
What you’ll find here and when
by, Jill Swenson
August 29, 2011

Swenson Book Development, LLC is pleased to announce that starting in September our blog will begin featuring three weekly articles or columns. Here’ what we have planned for our subscribers to receive on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Tuesday:              For the love of books                 Those who publish and sell books for more than the sake of a lousy buck are today’s unsung heroes. Ithaca… [Read More]

Filed Under: Authors, blogging, Books, Publishers, Readers
No Comments

Posts navigation

Older posts
NEWSLETTER
RECENT ARTICLES
Writing Retreats to Inspire in 2023
Dec 20, 2022   |   Audrey Arnold
Keeping History Alive—an Interview with Bett Fitzpatrick
Nov 15, 2022   |   Audrey Arnold
Reading in Duluth
Oct 25, 2022   |   Jill Swenson
Fall Forecast
Sep 13, 2022   |   Jill Swenson
August is for Reading
Aug 9, 2022   |   Jill Swenson
view more

ARCHIVES

Growing Good Ideas Into Great Books

CONTACT US

    LINKS

    • Blog
    • Contact
    • Welcome
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Why Work With Us

    TWITTER

    • Lurking? Who me?
    • The good stuff.... https://t.co/IxzBIsq5fT
    @swenbooks
    Copyright © Swenson Book Development - All Rights Reserved
    Privacy Policy