Writing for Niche Markets by John Vonhof

John Vonhof from Manteca, California is a freelance writer who writes for the Christian and secular markets. He has taught at the Mt. Hermon, Florida, and Castro Valley writers’ conferences. John has self-published two booklets and four books, two of which were later picked-up by mainstream publishers. He has been published in many Christian and secular magazines, newsletters and Internet sites. His current projects include two books, three Kindle ebooks, several websites, and spin-offs from his books.

Welcome to Writers in Business. Please tell us about your books and a bit about their inspiration.

I have run marathons and ultramarathons, and fastpacked in the High Sierras. Licensed as a paramedic and orthopaedic technician, with 6+ years experience in an emergency room / trauma center, I know about the medical field. That has lead to the following publications:

- Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and Treatment for Athletes, 5th edition, 2011
- Happy Feet! - Foot Care Advice for Walkers and Travelers
- A Parent's Guide to the Emergency Room: Managing Your Child's Crisis Without Fear

Over the years, I have served in many roles with the church body - clerk, deacon, elder, chair of many committees, youth leader, Sunday School teacher, and representative to many denominational boards. After serving as the secretary of the search team at my church, I saw the need for a resource about the pastoral search process and wrote The Pastoral Search Journey: A Guide to Finding Your Next Pastor.

My other publications include You Can Write for Niche Markets and Selling Your Book: The No Nonsense Step-by-Step Marketing & Promotion Workbook

I understand you are also a publisher.

Yes, I’m the publisher of Footwork Publications, a niche market small press that was founded in 1996. The name Footwork Publications was chosen to represent our commitment to doing the footwork—the study, research, and development of high-quality and unique resources that fill a special publishing market need. We publish specific, well thought out resources that fill a need.

I admire your wide range of non-fiction topics. You also do a lot to give back to the writing community. Your WritersConferenceGuidelines.com website and blog help writers navigate the conference submission process.

Yes, on it you’ll learn what goes into writing different parts of your submission package and how to do it right. There's information on queries, cover letters, book proposals, article and manuscript formats, genre tips, meeting with faculty, making the most of your conference, conference links, resources, a glossary, and more. Plus samples of queries, proposals, and manuscript formats. Contributors include conference faculty, editors, publishers, agents, and experienced writers.

With your comprehensive background as an author and publisher, can you share a tip with us?

Authors of nonfiction books should always consider whether their books could be released in a new edition. I have seen many nonfiction titles whose sales drop off after a few years. Out of the hundreds of nonfiction books on my home shelves, I'd estimate that less than 5% have been updated in new editions. Many of these could benefit from a new edition.

Generally, a new edition should be 10% new information. Over time, new information, statistics, research and studies, new or changed products, and new technology can provide us with content for a new edition. When a book is released in a new edition, it's like starting over. With a good marketing plan, sales usually go up.

Two of my book are in multiple editions, one in a 2nd and another in its 5th edition. These extend the value of my title and show my readers I am serious about staying current and helping them with my writing.

Thank you John! You can visit John online at the following websites.

JohnVonhof.com
FootworkPub.com
FixingYourFeet.com
PastoralSearch.org
WritersConferenceGuidelines.com

Buried Deception by Gina Conroy

Today we welcome Gina Conroy to Writers in Business. She is president and founder of Writer...Interrupted where she mentors busy writers. Knowing how difficult it is to raise a family as well as a career, she also blogs at Defying Gravity where she chronicles her triumphs and trials hoping to encourage those on a similar path. She is here to announce her new release.

Welcome Gina. Tell us about your first novella.

My first novella is titled, Buried Deception and it is part of the Cherry Blossom Capers Collection. It will be released from Barbour Publishing in January 2012. This 352 page book includes three other novellas - State Secrets by Lynette Sowell, Dying for Love by Cara C. Putnam and Coffee, Tea and Danger by Frances Devine.

You must be very excited! Can you tell us about your story?

Mount Vernon archaeology intern and widow Samantha Steele wants to provide for her children without assistance from anyone. Security guard and ex-cop Nick Porter is haunted by his past and keeps his heart guarded. But when they discover an artifact at Mount Vernon is a fake, Nick and Samantha need to work together, set aside their stubbornness, and rely on each other or the results could be deadly. Will Samantha relinquish her control to a man she hardly knows? Can Nick learn to trust again? And will they both allow God to excavate their hearts so they can find new love?

How can readers order Buried Deception?

It can be preordered at Amazon.com Buried Deception.

Do you have an agent?

Yes, I’m represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary

Can you share a writing tip based on your experience?

Yes, I've learned to write really bad. I used to have a problem with editing every little thing I wrote and taking forever to get to the end. Then a writer friend gave me permission to write bad and now I do! Then, of course, I go back and fix it!

I’ve run into the same roadblock in my writing and have learned it’s better for me to ignore the rules on the first draft and just let the words flow out of me. I spent some time visiting your blogs and web site. They are all very well designed and informative. I understand you offer a monthly newsletter with updates.

Yes, readers can subscribe to the Newsletter on my web site.

Gina, I wish you all the best with your new release. How can my readers learn more about your writing?

I love to connect with readers. There are Contact pages on my blogs, you can follow me at Twitter and friend me on Facebook. My new website GinaConroy.com will be live in January 2012.