5 Publishing Lessons I Learned Working With a Professional Marketer

5 Publishing Lessons I Learned Working With a Professional Marketer 5 Publishing Lessons I Learned Working With a Professional Marketer As a life-long fan of classic science fiction as well as emerging new voices from the genre, Fabrice Stephan's underlying passion is the exploration of technology through fiction, which he shares in his latest novel, Human Starpilots. In this post, he talks about the five biggest lessons he learned about publishing by working with a professional marketer.For indie authors, it’s a no-brainer that publishing is a challenge. Where you work as a teacher, in business, or any other trade, selling books is a brand new world.Anyone who’s already been through the process will tell you that writing is only half the work, while editing, publishing, and marketing makes the other half. Some publishing books might give you a â€Å"fool proof† recipe for success. And on some account, they are right: publishing a book on Amazon or other platforms is easy and fast. But once your book is up there, you’re lost in a crowd of other writers who have little to no sales. There mi ght not be a cost in publishing your book on Amazon, but, in this case there’s no gain, either.This was the point I had reached when I turned to Reedsy to find a professional marketer. I had published two nonfiction books and was in the process of publishing my new science fiction novel. The first two had been downloaded about 200 times, but hadn’t received any reviews or ratings - nice but limited progress that I had achieved using both Kindle Countdown Deals and price promotions via different websites. I wanted to give my third novel more of a chance to reach people.So I turned to Reedsy with a clear request in mind: I wanted professional help with launching my book. And I also wanted to learn more about the trade of book marketing in general. I found marketer Mark Leslie Lefebvre, who met my needs exactly and who went above and beyond my expectations in regards to showing me the ropes.Let’s take a tour of some of the lessons I learned along the way. Is working with a professional marketer worth it for indie authors? Join the discussion here. Lesson 1: Patience is a virtueWhen it comes to promoting your book, what you need to do is engage in consistent, small-scale promotional efforts that earn you as much money as they cost - and then to increase your investments as you make progress.In this way, promoting your book is a game of patience - and requires you to set lots of long-term groundwork before you start earning profits. Those profits might not come with your first book. With the second book you publish, you will build on your author brand. With the third, you’ll have more to offer potential readers. With the fourth,   fifth, sixth, etc - you will continue to build upon (and reap rewards from) your promotional efforts.So be patient, and stick it out for the long haul.Lesson 2: Reviews are keyOf course, the more the merrier when it comes to finding readers. However, when you’re just getting started in your publishing career, you do also want to be strategic about who you’re marketing to so th at you can attract the right kind of readers: in other words, readers who enjoy your genre, who are already looking to read a book like yours, and who will, therefore, be more likely to leave a positive review.For example, someone who reads mostly militaristic sci fi might not be interested in pure adventure sci fi without any space battles. If you advertise to them and they’re let down by your book, you’re more likely to receive a negative review.That’s where refining your target market plays a big role, and Mark helped me do that in spades - as you’ll see in the next three points.Lesson 3: Your cover needs to provide key informationI don’t think I need to tell other indie authors how important a good cover is. What Mark stressed with me is that you don’t only want your cover to attract the attention of readers, but the right readers: the kind of readers who will enjoy your book and leave reviews. Therefore, your cover should immediately g ive readers an idea of your book’s genre and it’s story. Lesson 4: Get your author bio rightMark also helped me work on my author bio to make it more personal, professional, and informative.Before... I have been trained as an engineer and I work, by day, in computer science since 1996. I have already published technical books on computer science. Fan of science fiction, both of the great classics and of the new voices, this is my first full-fledged novel. I was born in the USA, I lived in France, Denmark and Australia and I have settled now in Macon, France, close to Burgundy with my wife and my two kids.After... Fabrice Stephan is an engineer and is the author of multiple technical books on computer science. As a life-long fan of classic science fiction as well as emerging new voices from the genre, his underlying passion is the exploration of technology through fiction, which he shares in his novel Human Starpilots.Partially inspired by the classic Robert Heinlein novel Have Spacesuit, Will Travel, Stephan’s debut novel Human Star pilots explores a future world, where, desperate to escape ecological disaster on earth, humankind’s fate relies on the investment in a unique and limited group of only six pilots capable of surviving the training of managing hyperspace jumps learned from a borrowed Alien technology.And, if the risks and challenges these brave pilots faces wasn’t enough, contact and collaboration with the Alien Federation begins to reveal even more surprises.When he is not exploring other worlds through science fiction, or computer technology through his work, Fabrice Stephan has traversed much of the globe. Born in the USA, he has lived in France, Denmark and Australia before settling in Macon, near the border of Burgundy, with his wife and two kids.Lesson 5: Your blurb should target your audienceMark and I also reworked my blurb to make it more efficient and direct, and to ensure it spoke to my target readers.Before... In 2130, Earth ecology is failing fast. Its inhabitants are dying and the governments are hard pressed to contain the disaster. So when an Alien Federation suddenly contacts Earth and offers assistance, everyone jumps on it. There are further surprises: those aliens prove, once their DNA analysed, to be distant cousin from us. The Federation will provide to Earth advanced technology and support against the climate change with a single condition: To trade among stars, they need pilots capable of managing hyperspace jumps and only rare humans have what it takes to survive the training and become one. To receive support, Earth has to find and provide starpilots to take its share of the load. After a careful selection, six are chosen to fly to the far away planet Adheek. There, they will try to learn their new trade. If they fail, Earth will collapse. If they succeed, it may have a chance. But no one has prepared them to what they will face to gain that chance.This debut novel was inspired by the classic â€Å"Have space suit, will travel† fro m R Heinlein and by the science-fiction work from LE Modesitt. It is a tale of adventure in a far land, of going beyond one’s own limits.After... Only augmented pilots can cross space. But at what cost? In 2130, Earth’s ecology is failing fast. Its inhabitants are dying and the governments are hard pressed to contain the disaster. An Alien Federation contacts Earth and offers assistance. We accept their offer to trade among the stars and receive their support. In exchange, they aliens, who prove to be distant cousins, need pilots capable of managing hyperspace jumps and only rare humans have the right genes and capacities to withstand them. After a careful selection, six are chosen to fly to the far away planet Adheek. There, they will compete with students from other planets to try and learn their new trade. If they fail, Earth will collapse. If they succeed, it may have a chance. But no one has prepared them to what they will face next. If you want to recapture that sense of wonder from reading Robert Heinlein’s â€Å"Have space suit, will travel† and the tale of adventure and going beyond one’s own limit from L.E. Modesitt Jr, then you won’t want to miss this thought provoking novel. The 5 major lessons I learned working a professional marketer. #indieauthor In the end, working with Mark totally changed my perspective on selling books. Time, consistency, targeting, focus, and forbearance - these are all elements you need. And only a professional can help you settle in the rhythm you need to survive the publishing world.

Marijuana Policy Project Research Essay Example

Marijuana Policy Project Research Essay Example Marijuana Policy Project Research Essay Marijuana Policy Project Research Essay Essay Topic: Claim of Policy The Marijuana Policy Project, which is a proponent of legalization, has branded the drug as being harmless, safe and also healthy. But the problem is that marijuana is not harmless. Some proponents of decriminalization have likened the use of marijuana to a car: that like a car, it is only a threat when used improperly. The public should not trivialize or deny marijuanas harmful effects. The dangers are real and they include addiction. Proponents claim that marijuana can treat glaucoma but an ophthalmologist points out that marijuana can make the vision loss that is caused by glaucoma to worsen. Another danger of the drug is its causing of hallucinations and delusions which may interfere with the way the brain creates memories. Its use can also double the risk of users developing disorders for example schizophrenia. A percentage of those who regularly smoke marijuana become addicted to it and they are more likely to start using harder drugs. Teenagers who use the drug regularly could also have a drop in their IQ and are likely to have problems with their memory. Although those who are 21 years old and above can legally purchase marijuana, peer-review research shows that the use of a lot of marijuana is linked to long-term memory problems and other health issues in adults. The drug is also dangerous for pregnant women with lower birth rates being recorded in their children, impaired brain development and behavioral problems as adolescents. Some deaths do occur from edible marijuana and from car accidents where drivers are impaired by the drug. Americans have become more accepting of marijuana use as more states move to decriminalize the drug. But the growing acceptance and easy access to the drug, together with the advertisements put out by the proponents of marijuana; make the public think that marijuana is not risky to use. There are many good reasons to decriminalize marijuana but the negative effects of the drug shoul d not be ignored. Scientific research has clearly shown that the use of marijuana impairs bodily and mental functions. Even in the states in which it has been decriminalized, marijuana sales and use remain a source of crime and social dysfunction. But the proponents of decriminalization say that the drug is safe and non-addictive. They say that marijuana prohibition is as senseless as the prohibition of alcohol was in the 1900s. To them, the governments efforts to defeat illegal drugs have failed and the money spent on the illegal drugs campaign should be spent on the treatment of marijuana abuse. But none of the people involved know exactly how marijuanas decriminalization would be effected or what steps would be taken to prevent teenagers, children, criminals and addicts from getting the drug. The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Acts purpose is to regulate marijuana in the same way the government regulates alcohol. The law would allow anyone over 21 year to purchase, possess, share or transport marijuana for personal use. The public could have an unlimited supply of marijuana and they could cultivate the plant for personal consumption. The Act would make drug-related items legal and give licenses to establishments for smoking and other consumption of the drug. There are restrictions for smoking marijuana while operating machinery. The Act will also authorize the imposing and collection of taxes and fees associated with the legalization of the drug. Marijuana trafficking is linked to assault, murder, money laundering and drug smuggling. Decriminalization of the drug would increase its demand and make the drug-related crimes worse. Many criminals are marijuana users; marijuana residue is found in arrested offenders urine more frequently than any other drug. Although the drug inhibits aggressive behavior and violence, long-term use of marijuana may alter the nervous system, making it easier for a user to be more violent. The Netherlands is a good country with relaxed rules towards drugs but Amsterdam is a very violent city. The citys officials have been in the process of closing marijuana dispensaries or coffee shops, as they are called, because of the crime that is associated with their operations. Decriminalization of marijuana would also have negative consequences on communities. The powerful odor of the drug has been complained about by those living near marijuana cultivators. More than the smell of the drug, crime is increasing near the growers of the drug. This is associated with the theft of the drug from the farms in which it is grown. As a result, the price of houses near the growers is going down. The public should also be aware of the greater harm of decriminalization of the drug, which is a higher addiction to the drug leading to the use of harder drugs. Marijuana is the starter drug for most criminals. Marijuana use and cocaine use are strongly linked, with their prices also being linked. Legalization will cause the price of marijuana to fall and increase the use of cocaine. The use of marijuana is associated with cognitive difficulties. It wreaks havoc on concentration, attention and short-term memory. This affects a users ability to work. Even if critical workers like police officers, machine operators and airline pilots only used the drug recreationally and remained sober while at work, the long-term effects would reduce their productivity and place many people in danger. Further research has shown that the drug reduces concentration and weakens motor coordination. It also makes it hard for a person to be able to quickly scan his surroundings for deterrents or blockages. In driving simulations, people using marijuana are slower to hit their car brakes and cannot change lanes properly. Even if the drug was legalized, many black-market dealers would prefer not to be legalized in order to avoid taxes and regulation. If marijuana is legalized, more young people would use it. The drugs illegal status scares potential users from using it because they fear b eing arrested while others are embarrassed about getting caught. The more marijuana is used, the more it is abused because the fear of being arrested will diminish. Medical marijuana patients are at risk of being stigmatized because of this practice. Many patients go behind their own physicians to obtain permission to use medicinal marijuana. Others use many different strategies in order to justify their medicinal use to their families, friends and colleagues because of the stigma associated with the drugs use. This stigma has a huge effect on how patients look for treatment and whether they get the medical marijuana treatment at all. For many centuries, marijuana has been used throughout the world medically, spiritually and recreationally. It has been used as a folk medicine to treat many human problems, but under cultural controls. Its first use as a medicine was in the central part of Asia and then it started being used in China and India. Greeks and Romans made use of the plant because of the hemp for manufacture of ropes. The medieval Europeans ate its seeds because they were full of nutrition and used its fibers to make paper for many centuries. The American Declaration of Independence was supposedly drafted on hemp paper. The 19th-century American physicians commonly carried with them marijuana tinctures for diseases like lack of sleep, anorexia, headaches and some types of sexual dysfunction. Remedies containing the drug were used for whooping cough, pain, and asthma. Some Americans who do not like mainstream medical treatments but embrace herbal treatments advocate this 19th-century use of the drug. Considering that the drug has been used worldwide as a medicine and for spiritual purposes for thousands of years, it seems that Americas worry over medical marijuana is an overreaction. Despite being illegal, marijuana has become the most abused illegal drug in the US. For many people, recreational marijuana is basically harmless and is used as a rite of passage. This right of passage ends when these young people get careers and get into adult relationships. However, the drug becomes addictive for a number of the users with its properties of relaxation turning into a constant desire that interferes with their development. It may also bring about an early emergence of psychosis if a user has a predisposition towards psychotic illness. Medical users of marijuana have more access to the drug as more states endorse the drug. But without federal backing, there are no blanket regulations for all the states about what are acceptable symptoms for the use of marijuana, the exact prescription s a patient can receive, or the legal means of obtaining the drug. In those states with no federal guidance, a physician who prescribes medical marijuana can be prosecuted under the same statutes as a drug dealer. Because of the prohibition, the opportunities that can be used to study the drugs risks and benefits and to develop new theories in its use and treatments become wasted. Marijuana should be reclassified to have the same class as some soporific drugs and stimulants. This reclassification would help to reconcile the federal government and the state law and permit research into many therapeutic uses of the drug.

Cholestral Panel Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cholestral Panel - Assignment Example Lipoproteins are, however, of two different types that are the low-density lipoproteins abbreviated as LDL and the high-density lipoproteins (HDL). These two lipoproteins together with a fifth of the triglyceride level make up the total cholesterol in the body that is determined by conducting a blood test (Fernandez, 2012). The low-density lipoproteins are considered as a bad type of cholesterol as it contributes to plaque formation that is a thick hard deposit that clogs the arteries making them less flexible. The medical condition is referred to as atherosclerosis that can result in a stroke or a heart attack. If blockage takes place in an artery, that supply’s the legs, peripheral artery disease results. Thus, LDL levels needs to be low and they are controlled by avoiding foods that are highly saturated in fat, dietary cholesterol and excess calories, increasing exercise levels as well as maintain a healthy weight (Steinberg & Witztum, 2010). On the other hand, the high-density lipoproteins are considered as good cholesterol as it helps LDL removal especially from the arteries and back to the liver. Thus, it acts as a scavenger as it protects against stroke or a heart occurrence that the LDL levels increase (Sala, Catapano, & Norata, 2012). The levels of HDL in the body should always be high as possible and this can be achieved by avoiding saturated fat foods, decreasing the body weight among the obese and regular exercising for at least 20 minutes in three times every week. Triglycerides are another fat type in the body used in the storage of excess energy from the diet. Increased levels of triglycerides in the body is associated with increased risk or atheroma formation and is often as a result obesity and overweight, cigarette smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, physical inactivity and intake of food high in carbohydrates. Diet