Mel Hopkins

It appears Ebony Magazine is no more. Sadly, there's a 404 notice when you go to EBONY dot com. If you travel to any of its posted links you're get a warning. It also appears EBONY social media presence is also dwindling down. In January, Tyler Perry announced he was going to be on the cover of March 2020 EBONY -so if you can get your hands on that issue - it will truly be a keepsake. I wrote two stories for EBONY magazine featured in the September 2018 Fashion Issue. Yes, I got paid. It breaks my heart that this may be the end of the iconic magazine that started back in 1945. The last time I contacted the Clear View Group, LLC , owners of EBONY MEDIA OPERATION, about their alleged lack of payment to Johnson Publishing and I didn't get a response. So, draw your own conclusion. As for me, I think it's a wrap. 2020 is shaping up to be an interesting year.

@Chevdove YAAAY!!! More to come!

@Chevdove Thank you for asking!!! (I'm so excited)...ACCESS = LOCATION and refers to where people are most likely to get information about something that interest them. Example - If you are interested in creole cooking - you're are likely to show up to a location that either serves creole food or teaches creole cooking. You will most likely search for creole recipes and even find a creole history club to join locally or the internet. You may even show up here AALBC to look for books on the origins of creole culture or if experts post here. You might even start your own thread about creole culture. NOTE: business owners provide what customers need so the customer can get what they want. Your interest in creole cooking means either you or loved one wants to eat it. So business owners fills the need - by selling a cookbook, opening a restaurant or inviting you to take a trip to the source. So, someone who is promoting, lets say Louisiana travel tours, will make sure they share their information at all those access points where you are likely to show up. They will be at the places where you might look for information creole cooking. It may be advertisement or even information about authentic creole cooking spot on the tour - or even the best dish and include a recipe... Now they have your attention you may even jot down their information for future reference - and remember them when you plan your trip so you can get some good food. This is how the best marketers are getting noticed in today's marketplace. EDUCATION = A MOVEMENT A lot of independent authors think they don't know their audience. My suggestion is to start of movement of one. Ask yourself, "what do I believe needs changing?" I did something similar when starting this blog. I believe Marketing = Change. Marketing is a force that shakes up the status quo. I believe independent authors are unaware they use marketing in the course of their daily living. Therefore, my mission is to help authors realize they can create change through intentional use of the marketing techniques they unwittingly use daily. I was the first person in my "marketing is a four-letter word" movement. I was the first one in the audience. I'm so passionate about this topic, I just want to spread the word to anyone who will listen. I believe, "If you don't believe in your movement or are passionate about it - no one will be." Creating a movement of one is the first step. It will help you clarify what you intend to change. Then, you will be able to identify the people who are interested in your subject matter. You'll notice there are "followers" who will agree with your mission. (note: it might not happen immediately - that's why you have to be patient and passionate.) These people are your core audience. Don't waste your time trying convert anyone who is not interested. Focus on those who are interested. -These "followers" will become your ambassadors who will bring other like-minded people to the movement. How to start a movement: Now, the best thing about being a writer is ideas and words are our movement. We just have to educate others and lead them to the goal we he hope to accomplish. If we didn't believe in changing something we wouldn't write in the first place. And the best way to help others make a change is by sharing information (Education). So when you start your movement answer "Who, what,where, when, why and how." from there you will understand what information you need to share to build your audience.

@Troy thank you! @richardmurray I don't see it -here in either. I sent a message to @Wendy Jones for assistance too. It's a great feature to follow the topic.

Freethinker - open-minded intellectual who never stopped learning.

@Troy how do you add tags? I noticed there is a book promotion tag on this thread.

@Milton I apologize if this a duplicate message. Would you edit your message to include your website link? I've noticed including your website link to your store is like adding an #easybutton. Thank you. @Troy , here's more information on the widely read ePub format. Dropbox dot com launched an ePub viewer. I formatted one of my short stories in ePub format and sent the link to my dropbox and I could read it!

I don't have a Valentine's album per se, but I do have a collection on apple music called "bittersweet soul." I like soul music which I've recently learned is secular version of gospel music. I kind of knew that though. "This must be heaven" performed by Brainstorm and written by Lamont Johnson is less romance and more like a love song to THE ALL.

@Troy OMG! Yes, most stories written by black authors aren't free of another ethnic group's influence. This is why I don't read most black books and rarely watch black dramas. And no, I haven't seen Black Panther - but I did watch Netflix's "Raising Dion." Some parts were "laugh out loud," and I did appreciate the message. But mostly, in either medium, we as an ethnic group are reactionary instead of responsive to our environment. When I read, I look for someone I can relate to in the pages or screen. My personal struggles rarely, if ever, have to do with racism. Although I subscribe to "intersectional feminism" beliefs, it hasn't been my struggle either. In fact, being a black woman has afforded me more opportunities than if I were a regular white man. So when I read or watch thrillers, mysteries, horror, sci-fi - it's usually written by a white man. Although I've recently found Film producer Ben Watkins, Victor Lavalle, two men who identify as black, which both speak to me on several levels.both speak to me on several levels. I think because they both write strong ass, black women, with an agency in their films and stories. I'm also looking forward to reading N.K. Jemisin. But I digress, white men have different struggles but struggles that most black people face in addition to racism, misogyny, sexism, etc... So, I read them to learn how to solve conflicts that exist outside of the "ism" schism. So yes, please battle other conflicts that are also pertinent to our existence on this big blue marble. We've spent 400 years fighting racism... I'm not sure I want to escape into a book that also battles it too.

@Troy Great minds think a like lol..that was my goal. I didn't want to assume you or others didn't know about it - so "phrasing" to showcase works best :D

I'm not reading any books by black authors right now - but my next to last purchase from AALBC.store was Here's another book I thought about today but it's not available here. I suspect this young man is one to watch. He's a yale/harvard graduate but says he has no interest in politics. I wrote a blog post on him in 2014...when he was on the cusp of launching his nonprofit, MBAs Across America that placed business people with nonprofits to help them achieve their goals. He says he believes in purpose over profits which is definitely not the American way. And this is what made me think of you @Troy because you mentioned in a post on here, that black people tend to "give" their talents away to big corporate. Anyway, I wanted to link to aalbc for this memoir but it's not here. I'll link to penguin for now.

"No one wants to pay for distraction, but they will pay if it's packaged as help." (me) How help is defined is tricky. It depends on the client/customer's wants. If your prospective customer wants to escape their environment, then consider if you, the independent author have the skills, resources, and experience packaged in your book to help. If your book is the solution, then show them how it can get what they want. In this case, adventure, exotic destination, and as a bonus, a mental place where they will experience something new. If your book doesn't qualify to assist, then recommend one that can and sell it to them. Note: selling is an exchange of goods and services for currency. (Currency could be signing up for your newsletter because they value your judgment.) You can increase your market to gain their trust and sell them what they want another time. This marketing mix relies on the SAVE* strategy. When marketing your book, consider a promotion campaign that features Solution, Access, Value, and Education. S = solution - show us how your product helps us solve our problem. A = access - consider how your readers decide to make purchases and provide product info along those channels. Remember, following customers around a store doesn't work - so don't cyberstalk your prospective buyer either. Think about affiliate marketing - advertisers want to appear where they know prospects are receptive to their solution. It's soft promotion because there's no one aggravating them, allowing the candidate to seek out information for themselves. V = value - ask how does this product (book) benefit your reader. Every book is not for everyone. So first find out who reads your type of books - and then share with them how your book fits their desires. E = education knowing who your readers are allows you to share information on topics they enjoy. If your book is a romance - then romance readers would be thrilled to learn the latest - like a romance industry gossip website will bring them to you - and you can engage and build a community around mutual interests. And this how you can position your book, product/service, in a way that helps them help you. "You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want." ~ Zig Ziglar (salesperson, motivational speaker) *Eduardo Conrado, who was senior VP and the chief marketing officer at Motorola Solutions, allegedly came up with the SAVE marketing mix framework.

"Who owns the land?" It was either my youngest or middle daughter who asked me that question when they were still in elementary school. My answer disturbed them -because they instinctively knew no one SHOULD own the land - and we should have freedom of movement. With freedom of movement it would be impossible to starve on this planet. There's enough vegetation for everyone who wants to eat. Now, I have no evidence that this concept of owning territory began with those of anglo-descent ...because Africans were first of the modern humans - and it appears there were "kingdoms" and "queendoms" long before journeying out of Africa ...Possibly the practice of owning territory began with us - but now we are out. I just read a list of the largest landholders in the world - and it included queen elizabeth II, nicole kidman's family and king abdullah who are at the top -list dated 2011. I agree we shouldn't behave as our predecessors but unless we wake up or something shakes us up...we (the 'nonlandowners' ) are at the mercy of those who own the land. This is why MLK was on the right path to talk about economic freedom - but he was taken out before he could actually lay a solid foundation.

HA,HA!!! Great line... and accurate! They didn't know what they were missing - so much beauty, history and culture in this hidden gem.

LOL! I know it seems weird right? But yep! I lived in Brooklyn at the height of the crack epidemic and I sadly, but daily, stepped over pools of blood and brain matter to get the subway station. I don't think I've ever been more uncomfortable than those days. It wasn't until after I got married that I actually packed up and left NYC . And only then because my exhubby- got his plumbing contractor's license and had a close relationship with the chairman of the marsh cigar factory in Wheeling.

OMG! I read about #EBONYOWES ! Did you get paid? I wrote under Johnson Publishing and then again for EMO . I adore my editor. She wouldn't let me write until she knew the money was available. Under EMO I got paid shortly after submission. It felt good to see my articles and know they had already paid me. My rate was decent too. We haven't worked together since 2018 . Her last issue was December 2018 and she mentioned we can't work for them unless the money is already there. I do appreciate it but dang! I have so many story ideas but not enough editor-relationships. I had a chance at a commission with BE but when I told her how much EBONY paid for my cover and features- I think they ghost me. lol. I told them I'd work with their budget. I think they really didn't want to pay my rate. I can't see writing for pennies when they makes tens of thousands $$$ on ads. Welp You're welcome! I used to do well with securing orders for book adoptions at the conferences, conventions and seminars. Penguin gave us a generous budget to travel the country to pimp their books too. Thank you! I must get out of this heat. My body isn't used to it and I'm miserable in the summer. I'll probably end up back east in NJ. My oldest lives in NYC -works in NJ... and my twins live and work in Chicago, and Cincinnati respectively. I just got to have a reason other than discomfort to move lol

@FerociousKittyExcellent! When I worked for Penguin USA (now Penguin Random House) I worked the academic market! Very cool. May your book be adopted in many university classes! Not as an employee any more - but I'm always opened to commissioned features. Before EBONY Magazine "went missing" I had a few bylines including an Issa Rae cover story September 2018. I still pitch magazines but haven't had a hit in a minute. As for ATL, nothing is really keeping me here. I need a destination to pick up and go. :D

@Troy This is so true! I live over here by one of Tyler Perry's sprawling compounds and there's is no need for me to venture into Atlanta unless I go to the symphony. I do like Midtown but I don't care to drive there. If there were adequate transportation throughout Atlanta Metro it would be an ideal place to live but most counties don't want "Atliens" in their suburbs. So there's always a fight when it comes to funding public transportation. We currently have one bus system here in Douglasville and people protested that so I doubt it will be renewed. I'm not a "southern" woman - nor am I a "traditional" black woman. So besides my Sorors here - I've made two friends in the 7 years I've lived here. It is difficult to find women with the same mindset - (and even with our founders day tomorrow - I feel like an outsider from them). So, I feel lucky to have at least one or two people to hang out with here. By the way I learned the county I live in was founded in 1870 and named for Frederick Douglass. It was allegedly changed to Douglas for "Stephen Douglas" when the southern democrats rose to power. smh @FerociousKitty welcome back! I came to the board just as you left. I ran into Troy at our HS homecoming that year (2010) and I've been a "forum fly" ever since. I lived in Wheeling, WV for 10 years. And yes, I know what you mean about Pittsburgh. It felt like a weird climate to me. At times the racism was stifling then all of a sudden it's kum bah yah. I was fortunate enough to sign with Donna Belajac Casting, Docherty Model and Talent and got a record deal with Tom Cossie's Saturn Records. I spent a lot of time driving up and down I-70. I finally ended up as a News Anchor/Reporter for WTRF-TV (Wheeling Steubenville) . Some of my coworkers got a job at KDKA and WTAE-TV So, Pittsburgh felt like a second home. Much success on your upcoming release. I look forward to reading your author's page.

@Troy The action is here! Some of Independent authors here seem to echo the same thing "I didn't know how to market my book." Except, they do. -It appears they're not strategic in their marketing practices. I was the same way with my first novel - I knew what to do but I didn't work my plan. I like how you call it a (book marketing )"clinic" because it is! We, independent authors, already know what's wrong - we just aren't consistent with our "outpatient" care. I'm writing this out for me too. I believe this is one the best places for original content on the subject. By the way, I like that I don't even have to repost it to my profile - the software keeps track of all my postings as long as I'm signed in. Oh! I'll check out @dtpollard. @Troy OMG @hen81 is my writing "hero"! He didn't come here to play with us one-book every 20 year folks !!! 65 titles according to his last post!

There’s only one way to become a bestselling* author. Get a lot of people to buy your book. - Simple, right? Yes, but it’s not easy for independent authors who must get their book in front of enough people to gain global sales. Well, at least it wasn’t easy before the internet and the growth of eCommerce. Back then, it was nearly impossible to make global sales without a prominent publisher. Now any writer can sell worldwide. So why do so many independent authors insist on selling their books exclusively on Amazon.com? And to their detriment. There are plenty of viable outlets available that will lead to better sales and robust revenue. Yet many stop there and then wonder why they can’t make a living as an independent author. Possibly some of the reasons for poor sales include lack of knowledge, not enough preparation, and not setting an initial sales goal. Fortunately, there are simple fixes for these oversights. For example, Setting a SMART1 ( Specific, Measurable Achievable Realistic Time-based) sales goal. i.e., Using several distribution channels, Independent author will sell 300-1000 units* during the first week of publication. You are identifying viable outlets to sell the book. Direct sales, eCommerce sites, book distributors such as Ingram, hand sellers, independent bookstores, retail bookstores, specialty outlets, etc. Make sure at least one of your outlets is also a reporting agency to NPD Nielsen BookScan Delaying publication to prepare a sales strategy, and to solicit presales. Now that you’ve considered a plan to sell 300 or even 3000 books during the first week of publication, it’s safe to tell you the rest of the story. Determining where you will sell to your customers and how you will get your books to them is also known as Place. It is the 3rd P in the marketing mix. So, deciding Amazon as the exclusive Place to sell books is unwittingly using a marketing tactic that may negatively impact your book’s sales revenue. Note: although Amazon is referenced throughout the article it’s not the focus. It’s about getting you, the independent author, to consider a solid book sales strategy that allows you to make your book available in multiple locations. * (3000 -10000 books sold is the statistical count for WSJ or NYT bestseller, respectively.) ** Post inspired by @Troy 's Tweet (1/7/2020) ~Mel Reference 1. https://www.smart-goals-guide.com/smart-goal.html What is a smart goal? | acronym smart goals 2. https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/bookscan/stores.cgi (npd publishers marketplace BookScan stores reporting 3. https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/industry-expertise/books/ (NPD BookScan book market trends) 4. https://www.ingramcontent.com/publishers/distribution (book distribution worldwide |Ingram content group) 5. http://www.bowker.com/ (Connecting publishers, authors, and booksellers with readers)

What is "perihelion"? I could search for it but no search engine would tell me why you wished me a happy one (smile) . MLK jr day isn't on my radar this year. Sometimes I'm moved by his message but this year I'm interested in other species - and how they are dealing with mother nature.

@richardmurray Thank you! Happy New Year! @Troy LOL! You don't miss a chance to give facebook the boot LOL GOOD JOB!!! Facebook and anything it touches is anti-life...