Many authors offer free e-books to help promote their writing and themselves.  These are of various lengths and formats.  Some even have been prepared as CDs.  (Other businesses can do the same.)
 Promotional e-books may include:

An excerpt from a current book
A complete small book that enhances a current book
An extension of a current book
A compilation of work by various authors
A collection of recipes from authors

 I’ve been involved in a number of these promotional projects and found them thoroughly enjoyable.  I haven’t used the promotional possibilities to the fullest, but know they’re ongoing.
 E-Cookbooks
 I’ve participated in two cookbooks coordinated by Kathleen (Katy) Walls, …read more

Kathleen (Katy) Walls, author, travel writer and publisher at Global Authors Publications (GAP), has a great tip about media releases.  No matter what we’re doing, we can use media releases (traditionally called press releases) to promote our business, products, events or ourselves.
“Media Releases generate a buzz,” says Katy. “These are short items you send to newspapers and other media telling about your book, [product or service].
There is an art to writing a release. Remember the media outlet’s reason for printing them is not the same as yours for sending them. You want the world to know about your book. The media …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
  
Writing media (press) releases contribute to getting the word out about your book, your business, your product.  They’re considered free publicity. 
Kathleen (Katy) Walls, owner of Global Authors Publications (GAP), has some good suggestions about writing and distributing effective releases:
“Media Releases generate a buzz. These are short items you send to newspapers and other media telling about your book. There is an art to writing a release. Remember the media outlet’s reason for printing them is not the same as yours for sending them.
“You want the world to know about your book. The media can care less about your book; …read more

HomeBiz Notes.com

During August, we’ve had a theme of travel and related home businesses.  So I’m rounding out the month by discussing Kathleen (Katy) Walls’ travel books with her. Katy has producted them through her Florida home based publishing business.  We also learn from Katy that you can write books about the places close to home without traveling to exotic locals.
Her most recent book is Wild About Florida: South Florida, one of a series.  
Mary Emma: What made you think of writing a book on Florida’s natural places?
Katy: Nature and wildlife are things I have always loved. I do a lot of camping and some …read more

HomeBizNotes.com

For more than a decade, since I met Kathleen (Katy) Walls, I’ve seen her move from author to self-publisher to forming a publishing business, Global Authors Publications (GAP).  I thought some suggestions from Katy would help writers understand the publishing business from the perspective of an author/publisher. 
Katy founded GAP in 2004 to publish her books from her Florida home.  She has written the popular books:  Georgia’s Ghostly Getaways, Finding  Florida’s Phantoms, Last Step, Man Hunt- The Eric Rudolph Story, Kudzu, Tax Sale Tactics, and Hosts With Ghosts: Haunted Historic Hotels in the Southeast.
She is currently at work on a series of books about natural …read more