I’ve put a lot of time into my writing, podcasting and networking. But what will I do when I actually get that elusive publishing contract? I have some ideas, but nothing concrete. For example, I know I want to do signings, interviews (written, video and audio). I want to do readings at the local libraries, online, at schools and practically anywhere else I can think of. What I don’t have a plan for or really understand is how these various activities will benefit the sales of my book(s) and that is where I think the plan falls way short. Without some sort of idea what will and will not work, how do I know where to put my energy? For […]
Read moreCategory: Irreverent Muse
I have an interview on ‘View from Valhalla’
Hello everyone, One of the things I tout (and spout) all the time is the power of cross-promotion. It’s a great way to find new interesting people/places/things via the ones you already know. Odin1eye (on Twitter) put out a call to podcast authors to participate in an interview series on his website called “How I do what I do”. It is an in-depth look at how many of the different podcasters and podcast authors create/produce/release their content. I couldn’t pass it up, so I sent Odin1eye a tweet asking to be involved. He sent me the questions which I filled out and the rest is history. My interview is now available at: http://viewfromvalhalla.com/2010/03/24/michell-plested-how-i-do-it/. His questions were excellent and really got […]
Read moreWhen Not to Write
For those of you who feel that writers must write always, don’t get up in arms thinking I’m espousing (how’s that for a $50-word?) a movement away from writing. What I’m talking about is only writing what’s relevant to the story. This question came up from friend Dan Absalonson via voicemail for ‘Get Published’ and the more I think about it, the more important it feels to me personally. Dan’s question, in a nutshell, was when should I be changing scenes and POV and how do I explain all that nitty gritty stuff that happens in between? Before I answer that, let me stage a bit of an example. The story is a typical fantasy quest story. Our heros have just […]
Read moreInternet Marketing
Before you say “Bah” and flip to something more interesting, I’m NOT trying to sell you anything. I’m also not trying to tell you how to increase your followers or get rich working from your home. I just want to talk, honest. This whole building an author’s platform and selling yourself on the Internet is a big question mark to me in certain ways. Sure, I get that if you reach out to people and get to know them they’re more likely to care about you than if you simply try and shill a product. In fact, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Part of the writing thing for me has always been about connecting with people through my […]
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