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