|
|
|
|
|
- Mom-Writers Publishing Cooperative Q & A
Q: Who qualifies for membership?
A: Mom-Writers Publishing Cooperative is designed for talented mom writers with professionally edited, well-written manuscripts, aggressive marketing plans, and a supportive and collaborative spirit. We automatically accept previously published authors, writers who have received 2 or more rejection letters from major publishing houses, all self-published authors, and writers actively reaching their market through web sites, syndication and contribution. If there is a reason we feel we can not fulfill the objectives for your book we will refer you to other options.
Q: I read in Brain, Child Magazine that this is a group for self-publishing?
A: That wasn't quite accurate. MWPC authors are traditionally published by Mom-Writers Publishing Cooperative, an imprint of Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, Inc.. As a completely separate service, we do provide consulting and branding for self-publishers.
Q: I don't understand how you brand a person. What is branding?
A: Branding is every interaction you have with your potential customers – from the way you talk and what you say, to the way you look and the materials you present, to the message that you want to share – are all part of your "brand". How a person feels – the impression that is left after they have spoken with you, or seen your web site, read your book, heard you on the radio, picked up your flyer at church, or seen your poster at the library – that feeling is created by your brand.
When promoting an author you must present a package that is bigger than the person, or the book – it is the message, the pitch, the one special thing about this author and her book that stands out from the rest because it is specifically her – the hook that is consistent with this author, and recognizable by her fans and desirable to her market. Building a "platform" as an author goes hand in hand with branding – from how the cover of the book looks to the way a clever tagline promotes the book on a t-shirt so a celebrity is photographed wearing it.
Let me give you some examples...
Paula Schmitt wrote "Living in a Locker Room: A Mom's Tale of Survival in a Houseful of Boys" and the way we "branded" her was, "The All Sports Mom" - Paula is an expert on all things relating to sports and kids. Her marketing materials show this sporty, fun personality. When media need someone to comment on kids and sports, we hope they call Paula!
Christine Hohlbaum is the author of "SAHM I Am: Tales of a Stay at Home Mom in Europe" and what is wonderfully unique about her is her location, living outside of Bavaria. The media love this. For her branding we made sure everyone knew she was the "American Mom Living in Germany" and the visuals reflect that. When you visit her site, you remember the image of Germany's landscape, and her letterhead has cartographic motifs and the same tagline.
Victoria Pericon wrote "Mommy Land: Entering the Insanity of Motherhood" which is about the competitiveness of some catty moms so we created a "no mean moms" campaign.
Pam Leo's book "Connection Parenting" is almost like ancient wisdom - the imagery we use throughout her materials is a wonderful hand drawn parent and child with the phrase "Have you connected with your child today"
Can you see how, with each author, we found what would make them memorable to the media, book buyers, and the general public?
Marketing experts say you must be "seen" a minimum of 7 times before someone will take action and buy, or call, or ask you to be an expert. This is why branding is important. It must be consistent and focused on your message, your specialty, and why anyone would be interested in you. By making authors as memorable as possible with clever taglines, strong messages, and consistent visuals, and thus "branding" them successfully - you can accomplish this!
Q: Does the Cooperative use POD (print on demand)?
A: NO. Co-op books will be handled by our major distributor, CDS Books on Madison Ave in NY.
Q: What exactly is the "5-digit" advance? Is it really worth $10,000?
A: Five-digit Advance Program provides members the retail value of the following products and services; Guidance throught the publishing process including the Membership Kit & Book Marketing Calendar; 25 books for author to gift or sell; professional book cover design of the author's dreams and interior layout; Author Branding Package & Personal Brand Development including merchandising; Publishing Education, PR Assistance, Media Support and a Mastermind Team of mom writers meeting, sharing, inspiring, brainstorming and cross-promoting one another.
Q: Will you create a web site for me as part of the "Author Branding Package"?
A: We will provide any web graphics you need to integrate your branding package into your existing web site, or into a brand new site specifically for the book. View samples of web sites we have branded.
Q: What is the publishing schedule? When will be my "Publication Date"?
A: If your manuscript is ready we would put you right into production – we designate your publication date 6 months into the future; we will finalize your book design the first 2 months; we design galleys/ARCs by month three; the second 3 months will be focused on generating media and marketing plans; 2 months before the pub. date we go to press based on the response our distributor receives from regional representatives; you receive your copies one month before pub. date.
Q: Will you provide me with business cards, bookmarks, flyers and post cards to promote my book?
A: We will provide the design of all of these items! We do not cover hard costs for printing, but we will advise you every step of the way. Authors will be able to print the provided PDFs on a home ink jet printer or print 1000 locally, or with our mayn printing resources. We can facilitate uploading and consultation with the printer.
Q: Do you accept fiction?
A: Not at this time.
Q: Do you accept children's books?
A: Not at this time.
Q: I have my manuscript with another publisher who has had it for one year, can I have the MWPC publish instead?
A: Members must guarantee that the publication of work presented will not infringe upon any copyright, or other personal or property rights. Be sure you have been released from all obligations to prior agents and/or publishers.
Q: What if I already have my manuscript with an agent?
A: We can deal directly with your agent in regards to all contracts and royalty payments. In most circumstances payments are made directly to the agent who forwards the payment minus their commission to the author.
Q: Do you do illustrations?
A: We use stock photography and purchase royalty-free illustration to create professional covers and interiors. We welcome authors to submit their own custom illustrations for inclusion in their books at their own cost and discretion.
Q: I already created the cover I want, will you be able to use it?
A: We love creative input and direction from the authors, after all they know their books best. We encourage authors to present electronic copies of their covers and we will evaluate the readiness for printing and make any adjustments and revisions we deem necessary to produce the most sellable book that meets all industry standards.
Q: How often, and how soon, do authors get paid royalties on books?
A: The first money authors will receive is from the sale of their own copies of the book! Royalty payments begin 90 days from the day title enters distribution system. Royalty payments go out at the end of every quarter. (You get paid for books 90 days after they sell.)
Q: What do members have to do?
A: Once accepted, members must complete the blueprints for branding your book and business, pay membership fee, sign MWPC membership agreement & contract, register copyright, present final proofed and copyedited manuscript, and participate in cover design critiques and reviews. Members must actively market their books: pre-publication promotion including printing and sending copies of gallies to industry reviewers, gathering expert testimonials, and building a web and print presence for your platform and book; and post publication: respond to all applicable publicity leads in a timely fashion, participate in all promotional efforts required for book. The ability to invest nominal amounts of money in professional public relations representation, printed marketing materials, travel expenses, and shipping is required of authors.
Also required will be the documentation of the publishing journey in the membership kit journal & box. Just as important as the execution of an author's marketing plan is the validation of the process, of the successes and disappointments along the way.
The spirit of collaboration and cooperation is a necessary element in successful book branding and selling, working as a collective we can multiplied this tenfold - as much as each author can do to promote the cooperative and other member books and services, the more powerful the organization will become.
<HOME>
|
|
