July 15, 2008
Ray Ybarra

"Creating a Niche Market
for the Independent Author"

Online media expert Ray Ybarra told it like it is on Tuesday, July 15th. The bottom line: The way we've communicated and promoted our literary products in the past won't cut it anymore. The old promotional outlets and processes are rapidly giving way to what Ray termed "the new media". This new media concept encompasses all the weapons in the growing Internet-based arsenal, from simple blogs to crisp, content-rich streaming video. The challenges of today's literary markets require us, as writers, to become familiar with these tools and make them part of our own personal toolkit.

Change is not new. Ray reminded us of the dramatic changes in communication technology that have occurred in just the last sixty years. From sketchy black-and-white television to slick flat screen high-definition art pieces. From roller derby at six and local news at eleven, to instant, twenty-four hour global conversations - on any topic you choose. From rotary phones in the hallway to cellular devises that fit in a shirt pocket and can send and receive images, news, text, and talk with such grace that the "communicators" depicted on Star Trek seem antiquated by comparison.

Ray's points were well taken by members and guests at our July program. The Internet, and its vast potential for writers, will change the way we promote ourselves and our work. The winners will be the ones who embrace this new technology and make it work for them. Thank you, Ray, for giving so freely of your time and talent, and for making our July get together a special one. There was a hint that Ray might be returning to the Peninsula for a more in-depth seminar. Stay tuned!

One evening's guest wins a spot on Web TV!

Ray conducted a drawing after his presentation and gave away a $750 value personal interview to be posted at his Best Selling Authors site and to the Veoh, Youtube, Myspace and Google social video sites for maximum exposure!

Check out his new program, Best Selling Author Television, which brings local authors to a national audience through the power and leverage of the Internet at: http://bestsellingauthortv.blogspot.com.

At left is the lucky winner, guest Cynthia Fels, author and Tai Chi instructor. The interview will be conducted by Ray in the near future.

During the "Member's Horn-Toot" portion of the program, CCW member Dan Linehan, right, spoke about his new book, Space Ship One which chronicles the extraordinary development, production, and ultimate success of Space Ship One, winner of the 21004 Ansari X Prize.

At left, lucky door-prize winners: From left: Pat Hanson, Carol Brown Kauffmann, Fawn Mackey, Martin Dodd, and Harry Freiermuth.