Office Shortcuts to Make Your Work Day Efficient
By Janice Robeson
Templates
As a writer you may find yourself using certain forms over and over again—but for different destinations. I have learned to create a template; then, when that same situation comes up again, I have an example to look at and can save time.
For instance, Publisher X may have certain guidelines, while Publisher Y is similar but does one category differently. Keep an example of each variable in your file. I save mine in a folder in my computer program and a hard copy within easy reach in a physical folder. That way it is handy for quick reference when I have to answer questions by phone.
I have certain letters that I need to periodically write, I save an email template in a folder and just click on “Re-send this message” and then change the addressee name and any details, while I avoid having to re-write the whole letter from scratch.
Batching
Do things in batches like a mini-assembly line. If you have a large stack of letters or queries that you want to mail out all at the same time, here’s the system:
Step 2. Fold and stuff your letters into all your envelopes.
Step 3. Seal all of your envelopes.
Step 4. Apply address labels to all of your letters.
Step 5. Apply postage to all of them.
The more often you practice a “system” the faster you will get.
Computer Desktop
I use jpeg images that have to be formatted in three different sizes. I save them to my desktop—apply them to the program where needed and then dump them into the trash can on my desktop and empty it. It’s a quick way to access and dispose of something that I only need for a short time.
Copy and Paste
I send out information on a spreadsheet to several resources on a regular basis. They don’t all require the same thing so I create the form to meet the requirements of the entity asking for the most detail and then copy and paste it, changing only the company name for all the rest. Copy and paste is the way to go!
Janice Robeson is the Receptionist at WinePress Group and also handles copyright registration, and outgoing mail/shipping. She enjoys becoming acquainted with each of our authors and hearing their particular story.
Tweet This!How Fiction Authors Can Land Radio and TV Interviews
Q: How does an unknown author with a new novel pitch a radio station for an interview?
A: Radio and TV stations are not that excited about interviewing fiction authors… they are excited about interviewing authors about an issue. If your novel is centered around an issue, you’ll have a much easier time landing a broadcast media interview.
One of our WinePress authors, Gail Larson, published a novel about cancer survivors called From Kansas to Oz. November is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we had no problem booking her for radio and TV interviews for her novel… because our publicity department tied it to the issue and to the event.
If you’re a novelist, become an expert on the issues in your novel. Know what the statistics are, what others are saying, and what is happening related to the issue. Offer yourself as a resource to the media. During the interview, if you have the opportunity to mention your novel, be sure to refer it to by name instead of saying, “In my novel…”
Tweet This!10 Common Requests that Will Make Your Designer Revolt
By Thomas McGee
Most designers invest a huge chunk of time studying colors, fonts, layouts, images, and how they all work together to make a quality piece. Designers also examine other books in the market to:
- see what the current trends are
- learn what makes a good cover design
- evaluate what catches a book buyer’s attention
It’s always in an author’s best interest to seriously consider the designer’s concepts and ideas, and to trust his or her judgment.
With this in mind, I’d like to share 10 common requests authors make that make graphic designers revolt:
- “For the image on my cover let’s use a sunset or a rainbow.”
- “Please change the font to “Papyrus” or “Times New Roman.”
- “On the cover I want to see a man lifting his hands to the sky, looking towards a cross faded into the sky.”
- “My favorite color is purple, so please change the color of the trees to a shade of purple.”
- “I showed the cover comp you sent me to my friend and we both think you should make all the elements on the cover smaller.”
- “Take the title and move it 1/16th of an inch down.”
- “Please make my cover look like {insert name here}’s cover.”
- “My friend knows how to use Photoshop and I’ve asked him to come up with the concept to use for the cover.”
- “Please use this drawing in the design.”
- “I want the cover to appeal to men and women, but please be sure to include a lavender image somewhere in the design.”
Thomas McGee is a graphic designer at WinePress. His job includes: cover design, Web design, advertising design, and assisting with WinePress’ partner company, Notation Marketing Group. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys volunteering at his local Christian bookstore, The Salt Shaker.
Tweet This!Local Author Book Signings Boost Sales
Retailers are always looking for new ideas to draw customers into their stores. A local author book signing helps boost their business and creates buzz for your book.
Holidays and commemorative days/months that are closely tied into your book’s theme are the perfect time to offer yourself as a “special event” or “open house” draw to a retailer in your area.
Think outside the box when brainstorming the types of retailers for which you can do a book signing:
- boutiques
- antique stores
- greeting card stores
- restaurants
- senior centers
- art galleries
- coffee shops
- local theatre groups
- health clubs
- health food stores
- wellness centers
- gift / specialty shops
- bed & breakfasts
- hotels/lodges
- farmers markets
- recreational spots
- hair salons
Think of any possible connection between your message/expertise and the business. If you can’t find one, perhaps your book would make a great gift for someone who shops there; that’s your connection!
In our downtown, extra events are always planned during the holidays, with open houses and special gatherings to draw customers into the downtown area to shop. Offer to be an added attraction and agree to give the store a 40% take on the sale of your book.
Invite people you know in the area and ask them to pass the word along. You could easily end up with an event that occurs on a yearly basis, and maybe even more often than that!
Tweet This!How to Create an Author Accounting System
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By Scott Hembree
All authors need an accounting system to keep their book business ship-shape. Here are some pointers to help you develop an effective system:
2. Know how much you spend on every book project, from acquisition to book design to printing.
- Production cost (copy edit, proofread, ghostwriting, typesetting, cover design, back cover writing, language translation, and so forth)
- Printing costs
- Freight (from printer to warehouse and you)
- Shipping costs to customers, media contacts, wholesalers, & distributors
- Warehousing fees
- Publicity costs
- Travel cost for publicity
- Marketing costs
- Web services
- Office supplies
- Packing supplies
- Sale licenses
- Sales taxes
- Vendors
- Any other miscellaneous expense
“Gosh, I need a robust accounting system to handle all that.”
Not necessary. If you look at the history of how businesses use accounting, you’ll see that accounting systems haven’t changed much since the Middle Ages. Even Luca Pacioli, a Franciscan monk who in 1494 produced a book on mathematics that described the accounting systems in use at the time, describes procedures that would be recognized by modern accountants.
In his book, Pacioli suggests that merchants need three things:
- sufficient cash or credit
- an accounting system
- a good bookkeeper
It is that simple.
So, what tool are you using? There is one must-have for the 21st century: accounting software. There are several affordable software packages, such as Quicken, QuickBooks, Peachtree, Microsoft Office Accounting Express, MYOB, Simply Accounting, etc.
There is other tool that we would like to let you know about. WinePress Publishing is taking advantage of advanced computer and information technology. We have developed an accounting system that includes all of the above items as a “one-stop” service. So why not take advantage of us?
Scott Hembree works in WinePress’ Accounts Receivable department. He is responsible for receiving all payments and entering incoming financial data into the system. He says, “It is my hope that you will find WinePress service a pleasant and professional experience.”
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