Jun
01
Today was the most productive day of writing I’ve had in ages. Thanks for buoying me with your prayers!! (Catch up here.)
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty details. First of all:
Why An E-book Instead of a “Real” Book?
1. The timeline. From the minute I submit a proposal to my agent to the time I see my book on the shelf, a MINIMUM of one year will have gone by. And most likely, much, much longer than that.
2. The style. I have a certain vibe I’m going for in this book. Very conversational, at times a little slang-y, and so on and such as. It’s important to me (for this particular book) that I be allowed to write it just like I want it.
3. The money. You might be a little flabbergasted to know that I can sell an e-book for $4.99 and make 2-5 times MORE money on it than I would on a paperback book that sells for $12.99. When you cut out all the middle men (and all the paper and ink), it makes a crazy difference.
4. The experiment. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m having a hard time getting a publisher to pick up my next book (not the Husband Book). One of my biggest obstacles is my previous sales history (two books went out of print). I’d love to sell lots o’ copies of the e-book and “prove” to a publisher that I’m worth taking a chance on.
5. The audience. This is a book for men (husbands) and it’s about s-e-x. I think the topic will encourage them to read it, but not necessarily encourage them to purchase it while other people are watching (other bookstore browsers, cashiers, their moms, etc.).
Case in point: I was chatting with a friend via e-mail last night about the e-book, and she shared these encouraging thoughts:
I think you are DEAD ON that guys will be so much more willing to pay the $4.99 for an ebook and then read it on their phones or iPads or Kindles or whatever. A few years ago I ran into a guy from church in the Christian bookstore, and I knew that he and his wife were having trouble. He looked so awkward and overwhelmed standing in the marriage section of the store, and I just felt for him like crazy. But oh my goodness – can you imagine if he’d been able to download something helpful AND only pay 5 bucks for it? I just think there is a HUGE audience for that.
Here’s What I Need From You Today:
1. Names (and blog/website addresses) for “big-name” influencers. This could be any blogger/person in ministry/whoever that might be interested in the book. I would send them a free copy and pretty much beg them to spread the word if they like it.
2. Names of ordinary people (like me and YOU) who would love to blog/write a facebook post about the book. Again, a free copy would be on the table in exchange for your review/promotion/blasting cyberspace with all kinds of chatter about the book.
3. People to pray. For the writing/strategizing/promoting. I’m hoping to have my final draft finished TWO WEEKS from today. Then have a handful of people look it over for a week. Then set the whole “E-book Blast-a-Thon Coordinated by Gabe Taviano” in motion by the beginning of July. Ambitious much? That’s why I need your prayers.
Last Thing:
This is going to sound a bit outrageous, possibly even ludicrous. But I’m going to say it anyway. I’m asking God to fund the rest of our Cambodia Trip with the proceeds of this e-book. Gulp.
We have $6075 in our Cambodia Fund. We need roughly $12,500 to get to Cambodia in December. That’s $6425 we still need. You do the math (it’s too complicated for me at this late hour). After paypal fees and Amazon fees and Uncle Sam’s fees and whoever else’s fees (plus God’s tithe), I don’t know how much I’ll make per book. I’m thinking 3,000 copies might do the trick. Pray with me?
In the comments: give me names, say you’ll pray, promise to read it, ask pertinent questions, tell me I’m NUTSO. I’m ready. Bring it.
[...] have a really, really good feeling about God using this e-book to get us to Cambodia. I’m already thanking him for what he’s about to do. (1) [...]
[...] hard toward a (tentative) Thursday, June 16th (possibly Friday, June 17) BIG FAT LAUNCH of the Husbands’ E-book. I’d love to make you a special I-Read-Marla’s-Blog-So-I-Get-Special-Privileges [...]
Gosh, I’m a week behind on reading your blog…and you’ve finished a book already!!!! SO stinking proud of you:)
I will help any way I can …. just give me some direction!
Praying this ALL comes together for you and your family.
Miss you all and please know I am praying,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
Sooooo thankful for your prayers, friend! That’s the most important thing to me. But I’ll let you spread the word too–in whatever way you want.
[...] by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginWe were driving to church Sunday morning and talking about The E-Book. “It’s really a bummer that I didn’t think of all this sooner,” I told [...]
hey, Marla, I’m in to help you promote the book and get out word. what do you think about a guy’s read-a-long of the book? I would be willing to do the work of rounding up a few guys that would be interested.
Ooooh, interesting idea!! I’ll give that one some thought! Thanks, Doug!!
Chris will read it.
I’ll promote it (but I am buying it).
I am praying over it.
I am praying BIG things for your next book. BIG.
I love you so much.
[...] AMAZING. I’ve written more in the past week or so than I have in forever. And it feels GOOD. (Here’s what I’m writing if you’ve been out of the [...]
Will certainly Pray, Marla and be very excited to read it and give feedback. Still working on an email.
Thank you so much, friend! I still owe you an e-mail too!
Hey Marla,
I know I haven’t been commenting much lately (though I’ve written several comments in my head that never got typed out- especially on your home schooling posts!), but I am totally interested in reading this book! Not sure how many people still come and check out my site since life has gotten in the way of regular blogging for me, but I would gladly promote this book for you, as I have shared your previous books as well! Maybe I can even get my hubby to read it, too, but no promises on that one!
Thank you so much, Jennifer!!
Yes, I’d love to read it and would be willing to write something up (though my readership is VERY TINY). And praying for you. Hugs!!
Thank you, friend!! Love you!! And baby girl too!
I’d read/promote it, although were you looking for a male voice? I could barter with my husband to do a guest post on my blog or something. He’s all the time begging me to ghost blog for his real estate site, so maybe I could trade him 5 blogs for his 1…I can make this work if you would like.
I would LOVE it if your husband wrote about it, but you’re a perfectly acceptable substitute if he says no.
Thanks, Brooke!!
Marla, that’s a great idea! It makes perfect sense on several levels. I don’t have any ideas for you, nor am I qualified to read it but I’ll be pondering if there are other ways I can help. I’ll certainly Tweet and FB about it once it’s available!
You’re awesome, Leigh!! I reeeeally appreciate your sweet encouragement!!
[...] over. A blog post tonight would be the death of me. If you have any brilliant thoughts concerning yesterday’s post, I’m all ears! No Comments| Posted by Marla Taviano under Random Read [...]
marla. . .i am an ordinary gal but would LOVE LOVE LOVE to promo your book on my blog! just let me know if there is anything i can do. . .
Thank you sooooo much, friend!!
Love, love, love the idea, and I think it will be very effective! My hubby hates to read, but ever since he did your survey he’s totally interested in what you do with all that info. I know he’ll want to read it.
Also, you know I’d promote it to the 3 people who read my blog, but we currently don’t have internet (boo!) and the process I have to go through to check e-mail, facebook, blogs, etc. is so ridiculous that I haven’t even tried to. I am SO frustrated with that situation. But if (big IF) we do get internet I will start blogging again and I will tell everyone I know to buy and read your amazing book. Cool?
Look for a package from us soon. I found some good stuff for your girlies! Love you!
You tell A. that he gets a free copy for letting us crash at your place on our Zoo Trip.
I’m so sorry about your internet. 
Love you!! And sooooo excited about the package!!
Praying for you and this process! I would love to read it and spread the word, though like many have said my blog is small.
Thanks so much for your prayers, Gini! And I’d be honored to have you spread the word!
I have an idea…and will facebook message you privately, for their privacy…
Oooooooh! So excited!!!
Dr. Brown (President at Cedarville) obviously has some significant sway amongst your target audience. He’s on twitter at @drbrown231 and I think has a blog too, though I’m not sure how much he still writes.
I don’t have a blog, but I’d be willing to post about it on Facebook!
That’s fabulous, Greg! I’m following Dr. Brown on twitter now. Thanks so much!
You need Carlos on board with this: http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/
He has a HUGE following on Twitter and he will just about talk to anyone he is SO cool.
I’m praying for y’all. When life settles down I have a question for you and would love to talk to you about a vision I have and I need professional advice from a real pro
)
Thanks Marla,
In Christ
Sara
Thanks so much, Sara! I’m not sure life will ever “settle down” but after the e-book is out and promoted, I can try to offer you some “wisdom.”