How to write, publish and promote a book or blog

Have you ever read an article, blog post or a book and said to yourself that you could do that, perhaps even better?

Well, unless you have already done so, what are you waiting for to write a book, blog, article or create some other form of content using different mediums or venues?

The other evening I attended a local Stillwater (Artreach St Croix) event (Publishers Forum) with my wife (karenofarcola.com). Karen is working on getting her first book (fiction for children and young adults) published so she was interested in meeting the different publishers. For me I wanted to learn about the local publishers, hear what they had to say in addition to meeting the purveyor of a local book store (Valley Book Seller) who helped promote the event.

It was interesting listening to the panel made up of a nonprofit publisher (Milkweed Editions), a full service self publishing venue (Beaver Pond Press) and regional publishing house (Tristin Publishing).

Having formally published books (e.g. with traditional publishers (Elseiver and CRC/Taylor Francis), ISBNs, Library of Congress (LOC) registration) along with contributing on other projects, not to mention over a thousand articles, tips, reports, white papers, solution briefs, videos and other content, I often get asked what does it take to write a book, blog or other material.

Intel reccomended readingCloud and Virtual Data Storage Networking (CRC Press)

I also get told by people that they could do a better job to which I ask them then why dont they do something about it vs. simply saying that they could do something better.

Back to the Art Reach St Croix publishers forum event, the attendees were mainly aspiring authors looking to get their first works published. Having already been down the path that many in the room were looking to go (get published) it was interesting to hear the various questions and discussion topics. Some of those questions were about the process of self publishing vs. working with the publisher (large or small) in addition to how much costs or how to get discovered. It was also great to hear the panelist discuss some of the hurdles authors face in getting their books published along with promoting their works.

I learned several years ago before I did my first solo book was a tip that another author told me of the importance of promotion. That is your publisher will help enable, however it is up to you the author to promote your works by creating a platform or means of interacting with different audiences. Consequently it was fun to hear the panelist talk with the authors on the importance of creating a platform including a blog, twitter, Google Plus, facebook, doing articles and appearances to help create awareness. What was fun to watch were the authors who seemed to be more comfortable with creating their works and then waiting for the results to occur as opposed to helping make their work a success.

Anyways, for those who are aspiring to write a book, blog or article, or even for those who are content being arm chair authors or Monday morning quarterbacks, here is a link to a series about how to write a book or blog. The series (how to write a book or blog) can be read over at the VMware communities site that Im contributing for as a vExpert.

Oh, and for you aspiring authors or bloggers wondering about creating and developing a platform, what you are reading here is an example of doing just that. In other words, my platform includes what you are reading here in addition to on my regular blog or other venues including Google Plus (G+), Facebook, LinkedIn and twitter among other venues.

So what are you waiting for, go get your book or blog or article written, published and start promoting it.

Ok, nuff said for now

Cheers Gs

Greg Schulz – Author Cloud and Virtual Data Storage Networking (CRC Press, 2011), The Green and Virtual Data Center (CRC Press, 2009), and Resilient Storage Networks (Elsevier, 2004)

twitter @storageio

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R U Twittering Yet?

For those of you who are twitter fans, you can skip this post if you like as you are already twittering and know what it’s about, however feel free to follow me if you are not already doing so @storage.

On the other hand, for those of you new or not familiar with twitter (click here to learn more and sign-up) also known as micro blogging, is yet another venue and means to communicate, collaborate, network or what have you. In a nutshell, twitter messages, posts or tweets are 140 characters that appear on your twitter page for followers to view and respond to. For longer tweets or long URL’s, tiny URL’s can be used.

You can also include other tweeters in a post so your post will appear on their pages for discussion. Tweets can also be forwarded to others via a RT or retweet. Tweets as they are refereed to can be done via a web interface, from an iphone or other mobile device, or via email such as Microsoft Outlook with OutTwit.

Think of twitter as a cross between blogging, texting, IM and a few other things smashed together. For the competitive or status seekers, there are even grading or ranking sites to see or show how you stack up or compare to others.

Some tweets are discussion points, some are smash or trash talk, some are adds or news feeds, some are random thoughts or musings. Some people tweet constantly while others tweet now and then with some actively following and tweeting, while others simply lurk. Some follow others who follow-them, others simply post and follow few if anyone. Tweeters range from corporate or organizations to individuals for work or for fun for almost any cause, its really up to you how, when, why and where you want to tweet from.

Here’s a link to a blog post that I did late last year about what I refer to as tiered communications. While some may have a strong preference for one medium or venue vs. another, I see the different social networking, web 2.0 and related venues including facebook, twitter, friend feed, linkedin, plaxo, blogs, RSS, web sites and IM among others as different tiers and tools for communicating.

Check twitter out when you get a chance and start tweeting if the spirit so moves you, tweet you soon, however word of caution, tweeting can be addictive for some!

I can be found and followed @storageio or www.twitter.com/storageio and happy tweekend as its Friday.

Cheers gs

Greg Schulz – Author Cloud and Virtual Data Storage Networking (CRC Press, 2011), The Green and Virtual Data Center (CRC Press, 2009), and Resilient Storage Networks (Elsevier, 2004)

twitter @storageio

All Comments, (C) and (TM) belong to their owners/posters, Other content (C) Copyright 2006-2011 StorageIO and UnlimitedIO All Rights Reserved