Are you already a self-published author? Have you written and published one of our Six-Word Lesson books? Congratulations! It's a major accomplishment to write and publish a book. Now that you have started working on selling it, here's something to think about. Statistics show that the best way to increase sales of your first book is to publish a second or even third book. Several of our authors have already done that--Jenni Butz, Judith Sugg, Shirley Enebrad, Nikki Rausch, Mary Waldmann, and Lonnie, Patty and Trevor Pacelli. Next in line is Lance Carter, who is finishing up his second book called Live Big after recently publishing a Six-Word Lesson book, and Trevor and I are both working on new books. It can be another Six-Word book on a different topic, like the one Tracey Cohen is working on, or expand on the subject in your first book with a more in-depth chapter book. We edit and format many types of books, and would love to help with your next one. 

Tucson Festival of Books March 11-12
This book festival accepts self-published authors and allows them to display and sell their books in a two-hour time-slot for only $35. It is held on the University of Arizona campus every year and is the second largest book festival in the U.S. I applied for a slot this year and was accepted, so I will be displaying my two books on Sunday. If you'd enjoy a trip to sunny Arizona in March, consider applying for a slot next year. There are also talks by notable authors throughout the weekend. Go to TucsonFestivalofBooks.org for more information. 

Six-Word Lessons Podcast by Chris Carlson
Lonnie was recently interviewed by our author Chris Carlson's Sound of Business podcast about the Six-Word Lesson Series. If you'd like more information, or want to share it with anyone else, it gives a clear explanation of the process. Click here for the podcast.

Chris is the author of Six-Word Lessons for Unique Sales Wisdom. He spent 20 years in the insurance industry as a Salesperson, Sales Manager and National Sales Director. Since 2003, Chris has worked with clients from large corporations to small business owners, helping them to grow sales, increase profits and create systems that will continually attract ideal clients.In his consulting practice, Chris works with companies to insure they are focused on the most important step in the sales process, effectively targeting the right types of clients. His book provides sales success nuggets to help salespeople to be more effective and productive.  

Sometimes you just have to ask to get a book-signing. Our author, Trevor Pacelli landed a book-signing at a bookstore near his university campus in Tempe, Arizona a few years ago. He recently held another book-signing at University of Washington Bookstore's Bellevue location. He sent letters to the two closest independent bookstores, and they responded right away with forms for him to fill out with various options for book-signing events, as well as consignment sales.

He filled out the paperwork, which consisted of a bio, book cover photo, headshot, and a book description. They also asked that two copies of the book be sent to the store. The store in Arizona charged $75 charge for the book-signing, but University of Washington didn't charge anything. Both stores expected him to publicize the event, and said they would publicize it as well. At the UW event, he was given about 30 minutes to talk about his book. 

The Arizona store accepted copies of his book to sell on consignment with 60 percent going to the author, and a $25 fee to stock the book. He simply has to supply them with books and they will send him checks as the books sell. It's not a big risk, and will bring attention to the book beyond the immediate bookstore sales. UW also kept a few copies after the event to sell, which Trevor autographed.

 If you have written a book, check with your independent, local bookstores. Some stores host celebrity book-signings, but are willing to accept a first-time author as well. It's builds good community and brings traffic and visibility to their store, while helping a new author get more visibility for his book.