UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 20th (Sun) 2pm
FROM THOUGHTS TO PRINT: Getting Published in the 21st Century
HUNTERDON LIBRARY
314 State Highway 12, Bldg. #3, Flemington, NJ 08822
Featuring: Helen Henderson (moderator); Donna Galanti; Jon Gibbs; Rachel Haimowitz; Saverio Monachino and Chris Redding
JUNE 23rd (Sat) 2pm
'I'VE FINISHED MY FIRST DRAFT, NOW WHAT?'
ATLANTIC COUNTY LIBRARY (Mays Landing branch)
40 Farragut Ave., Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Featuring: Jon Gibbs (moderator); Kristin Battestella; Alice DiNizo; Jennifer R. Hubbard; Jane Rubino
JUNE 30th (Sat) 1pm
FROM THOUGHTS TO PRINT: Getting Published in the 21st Century
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY
37 E. Springtown Rd., Long Valley, NJ 07853
Featuring: Jon Gibbs (moderator); Peggy Ehrhart; Saverio Monachino and E. F. Watkins
JULY 5th (Thurs) 7pm
FROM THOUGHTS TO PRINT: Getting Published in the 21st Century
HOWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY
318 Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731
Featuring: Jon Gibbs (moderator); Alice DiNizo; Neal Levin; Ilene Schneider; Dan Wilensky
INTERESTED IN HOSTING AN EVENT?
If you're interested in hosting a multi-author event by NJAN or you'd like to have one of our members give a talk at your book club, library, school, writing group etc. contact Jon Gibbs: admin@njauthorsnetwork.com.
The New Jersey Authors' Network (NJAN) is a free to join/free to use network of writers and authors from New Jersey and adjoining states (including those who are self-published, or whose work is part of an anthology).
Its main purpose is to provide a place (via the network's Yahoo! group), through which local writers can team up to take part in multi-author panel/Q&As and book signings.
ARE THERE ENOUGH AUTHORS IN THE GARDEN
STATE FOR THIS TO WORK?
Hundreds of thousands of books get published in the USA every year.
Obviously, the vast majority of these were written by people who live outside New Jersey, but it’s a safe bet that enough authors live in or near enough to the Garden State to make this network a success.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN?
Whether traditionally published or self-published, authors who are less well-known (ie: most of us) have trouble arranging book signings.
I believe one answer is to organize multi-author events which offer something more than just a book signing, with up to six authors taking part.
From a book store or library's point of view, there's not much additional work involved. On the benefit side, they'll likely generate more interest for the event and (in the case of bookstores) sell more books - it's a numbers game after all.
At present, we do most of our events at New Jersey libraries. With a little planning, a professional approach and enough people doing their bit, we could make multi-author panel/Q&As a regular event at libraries and book stores throughout New Jersey. That's got to be good for everybody.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Nothing. The network is a free to join, free to use service. There's no membership fee, and no charge for taking part in any event. That said, there are no guarantees either. It's up to you to promote each event as best you can. If you don't promote the events you participate in, invitations to take part will soon dry up (see 'guide for participants' and faq).
SO WHAT'S MY NEXT STEP?
Take a look around the site. The 'guide for participants' page tells you all you need to know about taking part in a signing. If
you want to organize an event yourself, use the 'guide for coordinators'.
When you're ready to join the network, follow the link below to join our Yahoo Group.
ADD YOUR INFORMATION FOR PROMOTIONAL USE
Once you join the Yahoo group, add your information to the member database (you'll find it on the left-hand menu), then go to the Files section. Once there, open the folder called 'Pics and 100-word bios for NJAN events.' Once inside that folder, create a new one in your name (if you write under a psuedonym, use that one. Then add the following:
One clearly named* JPG version of your author photo
One clearly-named* JPG version of the book you'd most like to promote
One clearly-named* PDF file containing a 100-word bio
* PLEASE NOTE: A 'clearly-named file' is one which the person putting together promotional information can tell what the contents are and to whom they refer without having to open it.
Feel free to add your other links (in the relevant folders please).
Whoever's organizing an event collates information about participating authors from the Pics & Bios folder. It gets sent to the book store or library hosting the event for use in leaflets and online promotion. Creating these files in this way saves you having to send out your information every time you want to take part in an event (and saves the coordinator having to request it every time he/she organizes one).
When someone wants to organize a signing, they may contact you directly or post a general group message with the relevant details.
DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE
TO ARRANGE THINGS.
Like any other good idea, this will only work if you do. Promote this group on your blog. Invite other NJ authors to join. If you have an agent, ask them to promote it too. If you want to sell your book, you have to put yourself out there.
Hopefully this can help.
Good luck,
Jon Gibbs
