Posted on 24 January 2008 by Bobby Ozuna
To truly compete in an already highly competitive artistic marketplace,
it is essential the self-released, independently published author work
diligently to promote and market their work in the same “big-business”
manner and mentality as the country’s top publishing houses.
Over the course of this blog’s future I will be working to identify,
isolate, promote and help the self-released author as they venture on
this journey towards effective marketing and promotion of their work.
Many of the articles I publish will range in subject matter relevant to
the individuals who have already published and released their titles as
well as articles focused on the would-be author who is standing at the
literary crossroads not yet sure they can find the appropriate support
and information to make this critical decision within their writing
careers.
The path to self-publication is a long and tough road, but if you are
open-minded and willing to embrace this venue as an opportunity to help
enrich your life’s experiences all in the name of self-promotion and
self-gratification: then independently publishing is a workable, viable
solution.
The determination and willingness to proceed on this course is one you
should make whole-heartedly in a manner of deep, solitary soul-searching
and a choice you should make on your own. Because in the end, as with
being a writer, many times along the way you will have no one but
yourself to rely on or blame should you not succeed or find yourself in
a critical decision to move forward and grow.
For those of you out there like myself, already riding the wave of
success and enjoying the fruits of your many research intensive labors,
I have compiled a quick list of contest designed specifically for the
self-released/self-published author.
Like with any artistic talent, you can set yourself apart from the crowd
by earning increased attention from individuals readers, groups and
organizations by winning or simply placing in one (or more) of the
various contests designed for the self-published author. As this niche
becomes more and more accepted in the literary world, so too will the
classification and acknowledgment by more and more organizations and
associations. Now is the time to act and unless you prove you believe in
your own work beyond reasonable doubt—no one else will. So set aside
some cash and put those books in the mail!
Best of luck to you this coming year!!!
- Bobby Ozuna, author of Proud Souls
Midwest Independent Publishers Association Any book published within the
12-state Midwest Region is eligible: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND,
OH, SD & WI Deadline: February 1, 2008
http://www.mipa.org/2007call.html
Readerviews Annual Literary Awards (2008) TBA February 2008
http://www.readerviews.com/Awards.html
National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) The awards presents a wonderful
opportunity for all Independent Publishers, Self-Publishers and Small
Presses. Deadline: March 31, 2008
http://www.indieexcellence.com/
Independent Publisher Book Awards World’s largest international and
region book awards contest Deadline: April 1, 2008
http://www.independentpublisher.com/ipland/LearnMore.php
Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards Deadline: May 1st, 2008 http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/self_published.asp
2008 New York Book Festival Celebrating books that deserve greater
recognition from the world’s publishing capital Deadline: May 25th, 2008
http://newyorkbookfestival.com/
Premier Book Awards Recognition for books of outstanding merit by
independent publishers and small presses Deadline: August 15th, 2008
http://www.premierbookawards.com/
USA Book News National Best Books 2008 Awards Deadline: August 31, 2008
http://www.usabooknews.com/
Popularity: 3% [?]
January 24th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Wow! This is awesome, Bobby. Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely be referencing this list and your upcoming blogs to help me in the realization of my dream to be published.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I definitely know a lot of people that need these links. I, on the other hand, prefer not to be taken seriously.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Bobby, great article. Thanks for the contest links. I’ll be checking them out. I’ll link you to my blogs and website also. Elaine
January 25th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Great links! That’s very cool. Thanks for the info.
January 25th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I will also be looking forward to your future blogs. Now if only I could find time to actually finish my books……
January 27th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Thanks Bobby for the information, I look forward to reading your future blog posts. I have worked on my book for a long time and did not know what steps I should do next.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Thanks man! I’m going to enter some of these! My book “Adventures of a Fat Kid” is very different and funny. We will see! A great page!
February 24th, 2008 at 8:26 am
JUST ENTERED TWO OF THE CONTESTS! THANKS AGAIN!
‘ADVENTURES OF A FAT KID’
BY
WEST VIRGINIA AUTHOR
BART HARPER
A HILARIOUS LOOK AT GROWING UP IN RURAL WV!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL LOVE IT!
WIN $100 IN THE FAT KID CONTEST!
http://fatkidadventures.googlepages.com