Freebies for Writers and Authors

Even Santa loves to read!

During this joyous season of giving, buying, over-spending, and going broke, I thought you would appreciate some freebies! So I’ve listed below some great free stuff for writers, authors, and book lovers. If you know of some other great freebies for writers, feel free to use the comment section to add them to this list.

Happy Holidays!

Win a Free Book at http://abookinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/win-free-book.html

Free bumper sticker ‘fear of writing’ at http://www.fearofwriting.com/fun-stuff-for-writers.htm#FreeBumperSticker

Free online calendar to help you keep track! http://www.organizedwriter.com/calendar.htm

Free e-book to inspire you to write at http://abookinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-e-book-writer-in-you.html

Free business cards at http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default.aspx?xnav=welcomeback&GP=12%2f13%2f2008+12%3a49%3a29+PM

Free ebooks at http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/freeBooks.htm?cache

Goodreads has a HUGE list of free book giveaways at http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway and while you’re there, add me to your friends list. I’m at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/885518.Carol_Denbow

Free greeting cards so you can send your best wishes to those on your “friend’s lists” as well as publishers, editors, and whoever helps you with your books. Visit http://www.marlo.com/card.htm

Free new site for authors and book lovers at http://bookeventcenter.ning.com

Check Out The NEW Book Trailer For "A Book Inside!"

Back to Writing and Publishing Books

The holidays have really got me off track and I must apologize! Most visitors to A Book Inside come here to learn how to write a book—or publish one. With all the new stuff going on, the new Website, the holidays, and book giveaways, I’ve strayed away from what most of you want—writing and publishing help! So please accept my apologies and I promise we will get back to the book writing and publishing tips right after the first of the year. Until then, I have listed below some of the blog viewers past favorites for you. Enjoy!

One more “brag” moment; A Book Inside is now rated in the top 2.29% of all Websites on the WWW. This is all thanks to you and your support! Google has recognized that we are not going away and are here for the long haul! Writers, published authors, send us your “wants” and I will target those subjects in 2009.

Volume 1 / Welcome! Who Can Write A Book?
Volume 2 / Choosing The Right Book Title for Your Book
Volume 3 / Ducks In a Row – Creating an Outline for Your Book
Volume 4 / 16 Book Components and Special Sections for Authors
Volume 5 / Book Length - Where Do I Go From Here?
Volume 6 / Research and Permission
Volume 7 / Should I Copyright My Work?
Volume 8 / The Importance of a Great Book Cover
Volume 9 / A Quick Guide to ISBNs for Self-Publishers
Volume 10 / Testimonials from Experts
Volume 13 /How to Develop a Customer Base with a Website

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we begin this long-awaited 2008 holiday season, I’d like to wish you all a blessed and fulfilling Thanksgiving Day!

Thanksgiving is just as it states (only backwards LOL), “giving thanks.” It is a time to appreciate all the blessings in our lives. I personally give thanks to my wonderful family, my town, and the friends I have made over my lifetime, which includes all of you!

Since I began this journey into the literary world, I have met the most incredible, interesting, and helpful people—you. Thank you for creating me, molding me, and inspiring me. You are why I am here now.

I would love to hear what you are all thankful for this year and always. Please share your thoughts with me and others (comments below). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Click HERE to hear this post in audio

Win a FREE book!

In the spirit of the holidays (and you’ve seen me get in this “spirit” before), I’m giving away free books! That’s right, a signed copy of one of my books FREE to three lucky winners! Just leave a comment in the comment link below and your name will go into the drawing barrel. On December 25 I’ll draw three lucky winners and send them a signed book (U.S. only PLEASE!). Don’t forget to leave your e-mail or a means of contact so I can notify you (Would appreciate a Digg as well)!

Also, you’ve heard me preach and preach about how signed books make great holiday gifts! Well, how about a Christmas gift for a friend or family member for under $10? Okay, done! I’m reducing the cost of all three of my printed books to $9.95 for the rest of the holiday season! I’m even going to pay the shipping for you (U.S. only please!!). But I’ll need you to order through my Authors Box Website because it's too hard for me to change my PayPal button on my personal site and (http://www.authorsbox.com go to “bookstore”) because Amazon, B & N, and the others just aren’t feeling so generous! Since my newest release, A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story received a 5 star review from Midwest Book Review, Amazon has actually removed their discount price from the Website all together and is now asking the FULL COVER PRICE of $18.95—they’re really NOT in the giving spirit at all!

Most of you already know that I donate one copy of my book for each of my books purchased. Yes, I will still do that with this $9.95 Christmas offer. I will continue my 10% donation to Breast Cancer Research as well.

If what you REALLY want to get or give for Christmas is a copy of my latest e-book, How to Organize a Virtual Book Tour, it’s still available for $6.95 in e-book format. But if you would like a copy printed out, signed, and sent to you, I would love to do that for you, yes, still just $6.95 (it’s Christmas!). Just send me an e-mail along with your order (chipanugget@juno.com).

Thank you all for making A Book Inside Blog one of the best writer resources on line in 2008! We’re looking forward to a wonderful 2009! I wish you all a beautiful and joyous holiday season! Don’t forget; “family first!”

Writer’s and Authors, PROMOTE YOUR BOOK EARLY!

Wait, hold on! Don’t leave just because you think this post topic doesn’t apply to you. So you haven’t published your book yet? Well this may be news to you; book marketing begins the day you begin to write! That’s correct, the very day you pick up the pen!

One of the biggest mistakes writers make is to wait until the day their book hits the stands to being their promotion efforts. Book promotion should begin at least six months before your book hits the stands and continue for at least three years to follow—especially in this new world of Internet marketing and sales. With it we have the ability to promote our book literally everywhere on this planet. It has been predicted that eighty percent of book purchasing will take place through the Internet by the year 2020. Personally, from the trend I’ve noticed recently, I feel it will be even sooner yet. Amazon.com is one of the best book-selling sites on the Internet and has expanded to include Joya Amazon.cn (Chinese), Amazon.fr (French), Amazon.de (German), and Amazon.co.jp (Japanese). Barnes & Noble booksellers online have followed suit with international sales. Their brick and mortar book stores now stock foreign publications as well, including Vogue Magazine in four different languages.

To gain world-wide exposure for a book, authors need to start early. The Internet is an interesting place. It’s like mold—it grows and expands slowly. It can take months, even years for one promotional article to reach its full audience potential.

So get out there now! Even if you’ve just started your manuscript—promote it! You’ll be surprised how well your book sells “hot off the press!”


Carol Denbow is the author of three books, including A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story which includes 25 Unique Ways to Sell Your Story. Visit Carol’s Website at http://www.booksbydenbow.weebly.com/