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Self-Publishing Pros and Cons

New jobs -- freelance writer in Australia

November 4th 2008 03:38

I dont have enough time to write proposals for all these jobs, but many of you experienced freelance writers can propose for these current Australian based or found in Australia opportunites (late October to early November 2008):

Managing and updating fitness blog:
Really Long Link

Jewellery Website Writer wanted
Really Long Link

6 Freelance Writers needed (daily writing) at Communications firm

Really Long Link

Online magazine looking for 30 to 40 writers, $US200 per article
Really Long Link

Please read all submission guidelines carefully as you are in a competitive marketplace!
Also do a quick search on Really Long Link - you need to have a complete profile before you bid on jobs, and some idea of amount the winning bids go for.

Good luck.

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Posted By: Jen Lancaster - Category: No Category

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Self-Publishing hints (LINK)

July 24th 2008 00:00

Well my book is printed in living colour by Kainosprint (WA) and its a great job.

The thing I found amazing is there is a whole publishing world out there we have little knowledge of. Distributors who expect 60% of retail price (from publishers, they dont accept solo titles) to cover their costs and have that fat margin for the retailers. (Writing is a bit like farming, the actual creator gets a pittance). Luckily for self-publishers we retain control of pricing, and giving away 50 - 60% of retail I dont believe it is worth it from my point of view (on the small run you cannot make a profit and still have a viable price point). However, the local Gym and the Hairdresser (people you know) and whoever else can make a small 25% profit from displaying your books there.

Thorpe-Bowker have an online service now, which is good and open to all publishers.
You can upload a small cover photo there too. And then Libraries and booksellers, if they want, can have all the ordering information from there.

Of course as you come close to finishing your book, you want to apply for the ISBN (from Thorpe), C-I-P - cataloguing in publication, and optional ISBN barcode. And then explore options such as listing on Amazon, Lulu and other online services.

Anyone who wants to self-publish 100 to 1000 books please speak to me. See my website, and ask for my free report "Why Publish Your Own Book".

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Posted By: Jen Lancaster - Category: No Category

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There’s no Such Thing as a Free Lunch – or a Free Investing Seminar

June 8th 2008 10:26

If you think anybody that sells or markets property, mortgages, or managed funds, is going to “help” you get the best investment and give you “free” advice, please wake up and smell the coffee. But when promoters of investments tell us things we want to hear – a positive spin – it is hard to remain impartial.

Over the past decade, who knows how many millions Mums and Dads have lost by buying overpriced property through two-tiered property marketers. I was amazed to find The Investor’s Club, Queensland, founded by former bankrupt Kevin (& Kathy) Young, still running. Their positive spin is the wild statement that it's OK that interest rates rise as you can charge 10% more rent each year to cover interest costs. This is often impractical, with leases in place and legal restrictions on rental increases. Despite the convenience, buying new property through a one-stop shop, including mortgage finance, legals, valuations, and property management, means that you would never get unbiased advice.

Although not as rampant as the late 90s, some developers still use marketing firms who give free “retirement planning” seminars. Assets to Wealth used this method recently on Western Australians. Told of capital growth success in other such developments (not yet realised), they were lured to invest in new developments near Ipswich, specifically the $120 million Highbury Park housing estate at Redbank Plains, and the unit development of Blaxland Gardens. They were not aware that the building company (Scottsdale Homes Development Group) was headed up by a man State Parliament once dubbed the “King Con” of Gold Coast property marketeering scams, Dudley Quinlivan. The price of this ‘free’ misleading education was paying 20 to 30% more than the private market. The full story was in the Courier Mail on September 9, 2007 (Over-hype in the housing market).

Thousands of Australians have lost money, or opportunity, simply by not doing their own research. That is why I feel strongly that everyone should inform themselves of their overall choices, compare with other properties (or chosen asset), find out what the investment will cost them, and what the investment will most likely return to them.

If you want to become more aware of the whole investing arena, and avoid getting caught out by swindlers, please come to my interactive “Getting Started in Investing” workshop starting June 28 at Pathways, North Lakes (off Bruce Hwy). It’s not free – but it’s bloody good value.

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Printers for books....Aargh!

May 14th 2008 10:01

Having only a few short hours a week to get quotes for printing my new book, I hoped for quick response. Both the local printers I contacted via email and then phone, did not get back to me, but on phoning again I got one ridiculous quote ($1600 for 100 A5 copies), with the addition of "we dont perfect bind.. but if you take a trip across the bridge they will do it for $330" I know what bridge you can go down mate..

I think the online printers e.g. Kainosprint, who do it all, will be of help since they have a computer quotation service where you put in all your features (celloglazed, b&w, colour cover, gsm weight, etc) and it tells you what cost you will be paying, including delivery to your door and an idea of how long it will take. I think Minuteman Press is similar

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Cultural insights from Europe

January 26th 2008 10:11

Recently our wee family returned from a trip to England, Italy and Paris. The reasons we went were to visit my husbands family (both adopted and genetic). Spending three weeks in England and three weeks in Italy not only provided a stark difference in weather to Australia, but also in culture. In the part of England we stayed (Macclesfield, Manchester) the pleasant country estates and renovated farmhouses were charming. The BMWs and Mercedes were plentiful. In this part of the country it seemed that decoration, status (conveyed by material wealth and ability to pay for a cleaner), and who you know, were all important.

Quite literally every person we met was immersed in the expectations of their peers and the standards they have set for themselves. Not a thought for the poor bugger down the road. Over in Bradford - a working class city - things were more realistic and much more like home

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Posted By: Jen Lancaster - Category: No Category

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What’s Stopping You from Finishing Your Book?

October 10th 2007 10:11

Many conflicting priorities drag us from our writing and marketing, so it can be difficult to “get round to it”. Read on for tips on how to motivate yourself and improve your writing.

What stops me from finalising my second book and launching it is: a) funds not allocated, and b) time. But when I really delve down, these both could be overcome if I keep my passion and self-belief alive. So it is with most writers

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Posted By: Jen Lancaster - Category: No Category

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Write about what you know

September 27th 2007 06:40

As a writer you probably already know the refrain: write about what you know. Unfortunately with the bloggers and other amateur writers, the focus is on a lot of gossip and hype - and not a lot on what people know or are experts in.

That's fine for fun, but when it's time to get serious about publishing, then researching discriminately and using your own mind is the only way to go.
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Seven secrets or Thirty shirty authors?

September 18th 2007 22:44

Self Publishing Workshop at Brisbane Writers Festival - 15 Sept 07
Welcome authors everywhere... my first post is about my thoughts after a workshop called "seven secrets to self-publishing" by new self-publishing printers, BookPal.

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