After I wrote the post, Will the Harlequin Controversy Affect Your Self-Publishing Route? award winning, self-published author, Kristie Leigh Maguire, provided this informative guest post.  She presents self-publishing from the author and publisher’s viewpoint.
Now perhaps the Harlequin authors (as well as other traditionally published authors), because of the controversy surrounding Harlequin’s decision to offer a self-publishing imprint, will realize the discrimination we self-published authors have known for years.
I am glad that this discrimination against self-published (or published by means not traditonal) authors has come out of the closet and is getting press. No matter what the type, discrimination is just plain wrong!
Just because …read more

For years, author Janet Elaine Smith, has promoted her writing business from home due to her late husband’s illness.  Now her time is more flexible, yet she still does a marvelous job of promotion within about a 75-mile radius of her home in a northern Wisconsin small town. 
Janet does some book signings, teaches a few workshops, and gives talks.  Much  of the promotion of her many books consists of getting on her computer and phone.  She has become a well known name in her field of writing mysteries, historical novels, humor and books based on family research.
I was particularly intrigued by a description of one of …read more

As I cleaned out boxes of files, copies of articles I’d written, proposals for articles and books (part of my 20 minutes a day to organization), I came across a proposal, written around 1990, for a newspaper column on home businesses.  I’d actually written two sample columns.
 This idea for a column was turned down because the editor’s boss didn’t think there would be enough interest, even though I’d been working from home for many years and often had women ask me for advice on how they could, too.
 It’s interesting though, that the opportunity to write on this topic later came about through …read more

Book Promotion and Marketing 
In previous posts, From Author to Self-Publisher to Publishing Business and Choosing a POD for Your Book Publishing, I discussed with Kathleen Walls the process in developing a home based publishing business from her Florida home and how to choose a printer or POD.  Today, Katy will share some of her experiences in promoting and marketing her books and those of her authors.
Katy founded Global Authors Publications (GAP) to publish her books and soon expanded to publish others.  Previously we discussed how Katy became involved in self-publishing and founding GAP.
Mary Emma – Once an author’s book is published, …read more

In a previous post, From Author to Self-Publisher to Publishing Business, I discussed with Kathleen Walls the process in developing a home based publishing business, Global Authors Publications (GAP) from her Florida home.  Today, Katy will expand upon choosing and working with a POD publisher and getting one’s books distributed.
Katy founded (GAP) for publishing her books and soon expanded to publish others.  Previously we discussed how Katy became involved in self-publishing and founding GAP.
Mary Emma – How did you choose a POD (Print on Demand) publisher?  In other words, what should an author look for whether they are publishing their own books and/or …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Enrolling in online classes and teaching them have greater appeal than ever as we encounter higher gas prices.  (Even though gas prices have dropped somewhat in recent days, the cost of transportation still adds up considerably.)  In addition, there is convenience and time savings with online classes.
If you’re an instructor in a specialized field, you may want to expand your expertise by offering classes, either on your own, or through a group or school.
I’ve enjoyed teaching online classes in Column Writing, Researching & Writing Your Family History, Self-Publishing, and Travel Writing.  This is a way to expand my writing business, develop …read more

How would you like to make money while you travel?
When the kids have flown the coop and you have more time to yourself, baby boomers’ thoughts often turn to travel. But anyone can get started with travel writing – not just baby boomers.
Break Into Travel Writing By Writing About Your Own Area
You could start by writing about your own area. What is old hat to you may be exotic to someone else. The other advantage of writing about your local area, is there is less time and dollar cost involved for accommodation, travel, gas, phone calls etc. Plus, you know …read more

Do you earn money at home freelance writing or is this something you’d like to do?
Deb Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs site has extended the community with Freelance Writing Jobs Radio. Hosted at Blog Talk Radio, the FWJ Radio podcast is a regular event.
I’ve listened to the first three podcasts or radio broadcasts and found them very interesting, especially the phone in aspect. Listeners can phone in during the live broadcast or you can listen to the recorded broadcast at your own leisure when it suits you.
As I said to Deb
The interactive element with conversations and the phone ins complements, builds …read more

Jenn Mattern offers an excellent free ebook Press Releases Made Easy.
Jenn Mattern at All Freelance Writing is a marketing and PR professional. She brings this background to her current work as a full time freelance writer and has some great press release tips for small business owners and freelance writers.
This excellent press release resource covers

benefits of press releases
old school vs new school press release writing
how to write a press release

This book goes beyond the basics and offers ways to measure press release results (crucial) plus some templates…. an excellent free resource for any business owner.
Download Press Releases Made Easy …read more

HomeBizNotes.com

This past week, over at the b5media Lifestyles Channel  we paid a tribute to grandparents, in recognition of Grandparents Day. 
The b5media Lifestyles Channel pays tribute to their own grandparents with memories, recipes and values handed down from generation to generation, said Channel Editor Gayla McCord.
At Quilting and Patchwork, where I also blog, I wrote a tribute to my grandmother for my quilting heritage and for introducing me to this art.  As a result of this, I operated a home quilting business for many years.  Now this enjoyment of quilting has translated into writing about it as part of my writing …read more