Authors Access

On July 7th, 2011 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with writing coach and author Dion McInnis about how anyone can learn to write an engaging memoir.  He teaches Memories to Memoirsworkshops at a variety of outlets, as well as teaching photography.  He fell in love with writing by the time he was 12 and photography at 6.  During the day, he is a university administrator, and every moment of every day he is a writer/photographer/speaker/poet.   We covered a range of topics on memoir including Using writing cues to jog your memory The Horizontal Timelines and how they can co-ordinate the story of your life The importance of preserving your point-of-view while recovering memories Choosing fiction or non-fiction as your final product Using old photos to stimulate memories and discover context Non-verbal methods of bringing yourself back in time And much more!

n July 21, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with humorist and songwriter Tom Cornett. He is a Midwestern writer who has collaborated with country singers in Nashville as well as writing and co-writing novelty (comedy) songs and parodies.  Tom is a student of the observational school of comedy and enjoys putting a twist on reality.  He releases his comedy music under the pseudonym Twisted Tom.

On August 3rd, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with book designer, blogger and publisher Joel Friedlander, proprietor of Marin Bookworks in San Rafael, California. Joel is the author of A Self-Publishers Companion: Expert Advice for Authors Who Want to Publish and came to share his wisdom from decades of involvement at every level of book production.He has owned businesses in graphic arts, design and book publishing. He was Production Director of Aperture Books, where he produced award-winning photography books. He founded Renaissance Press in northern California, a private publisher of hand-typeset and hand printed books. As the owner of Globe Press Books in Yorktown Heights, New York, he published books of memoirs and east-west spirituality.

 On August 19th, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with publishing and marketing guru Paul McNeese. Paul spent 27 years writing for radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and in corporate America before retiring to create his own organization. Pauls new company, OPA Author Services, helps both first-time authors and seasoned professionals to self-publish their materialsin other words, to become their own publishers. In this session of Authors Access, Paul McNeese is with us to offer some thoughts and perhaps a little advice on a vital aspect of branding for writers and authors

On September 1, 2011 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author and marketing guru Irene Watsonon how authors can generate their marketing platform with a minimum of effort. Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books. She spoke with us and addressed the following points: What is an author platform? Why does an author need a platform? Whats the first thing to do to create a platform? (Define Audience) What is the next step after I define my audience? Basics of the platform (Brand, Reputation, Connections) What is the foundation of a platform? 7 steps in creating an author platfor

On September 15th, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with childrens author, publisher, and marketing guru Barbara Techel. She is the award-winning author of the Frankie the Walk N Roll Dog book series. She has shared her story of hope and inspiration about her dachshund, Frankie, who is in a wheelchair, with thousands of children and adults since 2007. To date they have made over 300 appearances in Wisconsin and many more via Skype to classrooms across the US and Canada. Barbara is also a speaker and publisher. She appeared on our show to help all authors who may be having trouble getting started in speaking at schools and libraries some ideas and inspiration. A few topics we covered include:What to include in your presentation.Types of presentationsIdeas for what fiction authors can speak aboutPitfalls to avoid in pitching classroom appearancesAppropriate length for various agesManaging the sales appropriatelyWhere to speak: In-person and via SkypeWhat to charge for classroom appearancesMarketing

 On October 5th, 2011 Victor R. Volkman and Donna Wintersspoke with writer, broadcaster, and historical fiction writer Susan Violanteabout incorporating research from oral history into fiction and non-fiction contexts.  In 2020, she published her Young Adult novel Innocent War: Behind and Immigrants Past Book One. She currently works as the Editorial Assistant for Reader Views and First Chapter Plus. During the course of her writing she used tapes her father recorded as well as one-on-one interviews to flesh out the events, characters, and emotions that she hoped to capture in her book.  In this wide-ranging discussion, we covered those issues and much more:Researching for your book. Researching for your book Benefits of Interviewing as a research tool when writing any story Different Interviewing tools and techniques. Quick tips to intervie

On October 20th, 2011 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with childrens author and publisher Karl Beckstrand.  Since 2004 he has run his own publishing company Premio Publishing and a Spanish language imprint Gozo Booksproducing captivating stories, ads, and scripts. Beckstrand has experience in high tech, TV/radio broadcasting, film, and public policy. Karl shared with us key points on writing and producing childrens activity books, including:How do you market activity books?How do you distribute them?Do parents/educators prefer physical books for kids?Why activity books/Why not just picture story books?What kinds of activities engage children?Are activities with adults more beneficial?Bilingual books 

On November 3rd, 2011 we held the 2011 Publishing and Marketing Roundtable with Tyler R. Tichelaar, Irene Watson, and Victor R. Volkman. Tyler R. Tichelaar is the owner of Marquette Fiction and author of The Marquette Trilogy and other books. Irene Watson is the owner of Reader Views, a book review and marketing services company that does everything from author interviews to book videos. Victor R. Volkman is the owner of Loving Healing Press and Modern History Press that have produced more than 120 titles in paperback and eBook formats in self-help, personal growth, disabilities, and fiction to name a few categories. The focus of this weeks show is both looking back the past five years since the show started in 2006 as well as projecting the trends ahead up to 2016 to come. Specifically, we touched on these topics and how YOU can take advantage of them:

On December 1st, 2011 Susan Violante and Tyler R. Tichelaarspoke with publisher and marketing guru Jacqueline Church (JC) Simonds. She is the co-owner of Beagle Bay, Inc, a book packaging and distribution company. Jacqueline is also the author of the historical novel Captain Mary, Buccaneer. We went back to basics for this episode and touched on all the fundamentals you need, including:Self-Publishing = Entrepreneurship. Can you handle the business or do you need a partner?Publishing is a $3 TRILLION a year, global business. Are you ready to compete?Most new publishers are woefully lacking in knowledge about the book business.Should you go for a Doing Business As (dba) or incorporate?How many ISBNs should you buy 1? 10? 1000Understand the new business models of Print on Demand (POD) + distribution, eBooks, and offset printing.Marketing = Sales. How do you plan to reach your reader/buyer in the first few months, and from then on?

On December 14th, 2011 Irene Watson and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with romance author, publisher, and entrepreneur Donna Winters about writing regional historical romances.  Donna Winters and her husband Fred Winters are the owners of Bigwater Publishing. Since 1989 they have released 15 of Donnas historical romances for ages 12 and up under the Great Lakes Romances imprint.  We covered a wide-range of topics from writing to marketing, including:Historical romances vs. contemporary romancesResearch methodsHistorical charactersImagesNamesCharacter developmentHistorical dialogHistorical costumesHistorical transportation

On January 4th, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar andVictor R. Volkman spoke with regional mystery maven Nancy Barr.  Nancy served as news editor at the Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton for three years and now works at Michigan Technological University, where she recently earned a masters degree in Rhetoric and Technical Communication.  Her novels include Page One: Hit and Run(July 2006), Page One: Vanished (May 2007), and Page One: Whiteout (November 2009), all from Arbutus Press. She spoke with us on all the particulars of regional mystery writing including: Challenges of writing about real locations in rural areas Character development deciding who deserves a repeat appearance and who is a one-book wonder Plotting versus characterization.  Each book has been different for me. Other mysteries worth reading that feature the rural upper Midwest. The pros and cons of small, regional publishing houses. Marketing

On January 19th, 2012 Susan Violante and Victor R. Volkman spoke with award-winning children's author, marketing expert, and entrepreneur Ellen Feld about how to target-market your children''s books. Her first book, Blackjack: Dreaming of a Morgan Horse, went on to win a coveted Childrens Choices award, co-sponsored by The International Reading Association and The Childrens Book Council.  The book was then picked up by an international toy company and packaged with a toy horse made to resemble Blackjack, the star of the series.  Blackjack continues to sell well and to date has sold over 30,000 copies.  

On February 2nd, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with educational publisher and marketing guru Arianne McHugh. She is the President and Co-Owner of Saddleback Educational Publishing. She has revamped Saddleback into the countrys largest publisher of high-interest, low readability material. Saddleback kicks off its 30th anniversary with thirteen Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (2012) for its series, Urban Underground.

On February 16th, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author and marketing guru Cathy Stuckeron the basics of effective blogging AND promoting your blog. Best known as the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker helps authors, entrepreneurs and professionals attract customers and make themselves famous with techniques that make marketing easy, inexpensive and even fun. We covered a myriad of topics, including:Does blogging really sell books?What is the best way to set up a blog?What should authors blog about?What about fiction authors?How do you find the time to write for a blog without neglecting your real writing?How personal should a blog be?How do you handle blogging if you write in multiple genres or under more than one name?How can authors attract readers to their blogs?

On March 1st, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author, motivational speaker, and publisher Sabrina K. Carpenter. In 2006, Sabrina founded her professional writing firm, Perfected Pen, Inc., which specializes in business writing services ranging from editing, website content, business plans, motivational speaking, press releases, social media management and beyond. She founded her childrens literacy program, Eager Readers, Brighter Writers in 2011. Traveling across the country, Carpenter encourages the natural quest for knowledge within children, through fun and interactive reading groups and writing workshops. We had wide-ranging discussion including these points:Determining Which Event is Right for YouHow much to pay?How important is the venue?The Face of MarketingWhy Time is Always MoneyAvoid Toxic PeopleBranding You or the Boo

On March 14th, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with singer, songwriter, restaurateur, and entrepreneur Ruby Dee Philippa. She is the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated high-octane roots and rockabilly act Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. Previously, Ruby owned three successful restaurants in Seattle, Washington, until she finally settled down as a musician in Austin, Texas, where she lives today. Her book,Rubys Juke Joint Americana Cookbook, is a veritable feast of down-home recipes meant to be enjoyed with family and friends.  She shared delicious tidbits of hard-earned wisdom on self-publishing cookbooks from conception to sales and marketing:

On April 6th 2012, Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkmanspoke with Yvonne Rose, Associate Publisher and Senior Editor at Amber Communications Group, Inc.  Ms. Rose began her stint at Amber Books in 1998 as the co-author of the Companys flagship title, the national bestseller, Is Modeling for You? The Handbook and Guide for the Young Aspiring Black Model. Yvonne Rose was appointed to head Quality Press and has turned a few thousands of Self-Published authors manuscripts into completed books.  She spoke with us a wide-range of issues relating to African-American authors specifically and publishing in general Writing for African American culture Publishing hurdles of African American books Target marketing to African American community Writing cross-culture book mixed race books African American any different than other cultures? Getting the characters right for the culture Importance of covers depicting African American content

On April 19th, 2012 Victor R. Volkman and Irene Watson spoke with professional editor and marketing guru Beth Werner about the Association of Independent Authors and what it can do for you.   In 2010 Beth left the corporate world to launch Author Connections, LLC, a company created to educate, encourage and empower authors. She currently provides editing and marketing services to an exclusive roster of select clients. Her professional mission is to support high quality, multi-media content for hungry readers.  As an AiA board member she was able to educate us on aspects of the associatio

On May 3rd, 2012 Victor R. Volkman and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with veteran radio host and media maven Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Media Group. Cyrus been active in the arts for over a decade and has used his passion for engaging discussions to build his media brand. Through his radio show he has interviewed Pulitzer-Prize winners, celebrity musicians and actors as well as individuals with a powerful story to tell. Tonight, Cyrus Webb shared his inside information on how you can make yourself into a guest that radio interviewers cant refuse!