Welcome Dorothy Thompson to the Polebarn!!

Today we have a special guest in the Polebarn! Dorothy Thompson, the Soul Mate Queen, is here on a virtual blog tour for her latest book, “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your eBook”. Dorothy, Welcome!!

1. How long did “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published e-Book” take for you to research and write?

Hi Laura, and thanks for having me! "A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook" actually was a result of five years of research. The actual ebook was an accumulation of notes I had kept in folders--promotional outlets that I had used in the past or had heard about during the five years. It took maybe about six months to sift through it all, and explore new promotional venues. The Internet is a wonderful place for research; but, unfortunately, links become outdated, so it's ever-changing.

2. What did you learn while writing this e-book that you found surprising? What did you learn while writing this e-book that was frustrating?

The one thing I found surprising was the fact that the key to promoting eBooks was right under my nose. As I was exploring different venues to add to the eBook, it dawned on me that it took more than I thought to promote an eBook right, much less a self-published eBook. Just putting the cover up on your website and in a few online stores wasn't going to cut it. As I was putting it to the test with my writing group's free eBooks to see how well this system worked, it dawned on me that it was an accumulation of things such as making sure your selling page was search engine friendly and using key search words or phrases in every single piece of promotional literature I sent out.
The most frustrating thing? Gosh. I don't think there were any. It was a ball to put together. Every time I would find a neat new way to promote a self-published eBook, it was like I had hit a gold mine.

3. If there is one piece of advice you can give aspiring writers, what would that be?

To all aspiring writers, I would like to say that in order to reach whatever goal you have, you have to remember that you will not get there by being passive. You need to be driven. You can't say, "Oh, I've worked hard today; I don't have time to write." A true writer writes. Every single day. And if your goal is to be published, make it happen. Don't say, "I don't know how." Find out how. The Internet has made it possible for anyone to be published. Years ago, we didn't have the Internet. We didn't have all that research at our fingertips. Use this wonderful opportunity, and reach your goals.

4. Will there be a sequel to “A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published e-Book” or a revised edition in the near future?

LOL, you're reading my mind, Laura. There will be a revised edition in a year. Because it is filled with hundreds of links, the possibility of some of those links not working is almost a given thing. But, that's okay, because every single day I find another promotional outlet to make up for it. So, yes, you will see a revised edition around this time next year. ;o)

5. Did you find that the information you found was limited or that you had to cut it off someplace because there was too much out there?

Oh no, the information is there. You just have to know how to sift it all out. I stopped at the point where I just could not find another one. And, it's funny...just as soon as I stopped, I found more. So, that's the reason for the revised edition next year!
However, for anyone buying the eBook now, they will get the new revised edition absolutely free as soon as it comes out.
Also, Laura, I would like to mention that I am offering a free eBook cover to anyone buying this eBook between now and March 31, 2007. All you have to do is email me with your purchase order information and put "free eBook cover" in the subject line, or somewhere in the body of the email. Tell me the name of your eBook, your full name for the cover, and what your eBook is about to give me an idea of how to design your cover.
Thank you, Laura, for having me, and happy promoting to you and your readers!

Everyone feel free to leave comments and if you are interested in obtaining a copy of Dorothy's eBook, please click on the link below: http://www.dorothythompson.net

Dorothy will only be in here today to answer or respond to your comments. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit!!

52,050 Words-A NaNoWriMo Victory!

On November 20, 2006, at 2:33 a.m., I realized my goal. I hit 52,050 words on my novel I was writing for the National Novel Writing Month competition. I still have to get it verified through their website, but I am still in shock that I actually made it!

I feel in some ways like I climbed Mount Everest or ran the New York City Marathon! In short, I'm pooped! My dear BF (boyfriend), asked me if I was all done staying up all night writing. I replied, "For a little while!"

I am so thankful for the love and support of my son, my BF, my parents and my sister and brother and all of my friends and my friends at the Writers Life known as the Writersville Gang. They kept me going and made me feel like a winner when I finally realized my goal, and it is fitting that this is also Thanksgiving week. I am so thankful to all of you.

Now, I'm going to get some sleep!

Welcome to the Polebarn, Dorothy Thompson, the Soulmate Queen!

Coming soon this blog will be having our first guest, Ms. Dorothy Thompson, author and relationship expert, here at the Polebarn! I am so excited to have her as my first guest!

I came to know Dorothy through my online writing group, The Writers Life. We call ourselves the Writersville Gang. Dorothy is on a virtual blog tour promoting her newest e-book, A Complete Guide to Promoting & Selling Your Self-Published eBook. Once I have a set date I will post it here, and I can hardly wait!

If you would like to know more about Dorothy, please visit her website at dorothythompson.net or thewriterslife.net. Feel free to visit her blog at overthehillchick.blogspot.com.

Thoughts on Voting and the Taxman

Tomorrow is Election Day. I am going to vote early in the morning so I can get it done and over with. I am so happy this campaign season is going to be over! The campaigns are not about the issues anymore, they are about how horrible the other guy or gal is, and all the stuff they did in the past that makes them a horrible choice for the office they are running for. I wonder who decides that dirty campaigning is a good idea and when to start running these ads that make me sick? How are you supposed to make an informed choice with all of the gossip and the mudslinging and the backstabbing? What are we, in fourth grade?? I do want the campaign managers out there to know that part of my decision on who to vote for has to do with who ran the most negative campaign as well as the issues they stand for and the party they represent. I can't say that I will vote down the party lines because I feel you should know who your candidates are and what they stand for, not just how they appear on TV. I hope everyone goes out and votes and if you don't vote, then you have no right to complain!!

Another issue that came up this week for me has to do with the Taxman. I was hit this week with a bill for about $800.00 for an overpayment by the State of Minnesota Department of Revenue for my 2003 Renter's Credit. Yes, you read that right, 2003!! I called them and asked the obvious question, if you overpaid me then, why on Earth are you asking for it back now three years later!! I got the stock answer which was an audit was done in June 2006, and there was an error and now I have to pay this back. Thanks a bunch, guys!! Like I can just materialize that out of thin air! I said I wanted to see a copy of the audit and the man on the other end of the phone sounded like that was going to be such a big hassle. I explained to him that before I send them a dime I want to know what the error was, to which he promptly informed/threatened me that I had to pay this before November 30th or make some payment arrangements with them or they would garnish my wages, put a lien on my property (I rent, remember? I don't own any property you numbskull!), or any number of tactics the government can apply to get blood out of a turnip.

I explained to him that I was not trying to get out of paying this bill, I just felt it was my right as a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the great state of Minnesota that I find out what the hell I owe this for before I start counting out the pennies in my piggy bank to send to him. He didn't laugh at that. I'm not surprised. In the meantime, I am working tirelessly on getting my little home based writing business off the ground so I can be free of this. Anyone need a to hire a writer??