Archive for the ‘Publishing’ Category

7 Steps to Greater Publishing Success

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Yesterday I visited a group of the Southern California Writers Association in Fountain Valley. I talked to them about book marketing for the reluctant fiction and nonfiction author. However, I got the impression from audience questions and from chatting with some of the delightful attendees that there probably wasn’t a reluctant marketer among them.

This seemed like a savvy group of authors who had taken the time to study the publishing industry before getting too deeply involved. However, several of them told me they picked up some ideas during my presentation that they hadn’t even thought of, and they were eager to try. Cool! And some of them bought copies of my books—all of which include at least a section on book promotion. Yes, these are serious authors—authors who want to make an impression with their books.

If you take your book project seriously and if you want a successful outcome, there are steps you should definitely take before launching it.

1: Make sure you are writing the right book for the right audience. So often, we write what I consider “throw-away books.” We write what we want to write and there is no real audience for our “masterpiece.” Define your audience and keep them in mind throughout the entire writing procession.

For help with this step, I strongly suggest that you write a book proposal. Yes, now. It will help you to understand more about your audience, the appropriateness and value of your proposed book, whether it is a valid project, your role as a published author and so much more.

2: Study the publishing industry before you ever think about getting involved in it. Read books like my “Publish Your Book.” Available at amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio. Also available at most other online and downtown bookstores. Also attend lectures, subscribe to industry publications and read them. (For a list of those I recommend, plus other author resources, email me: PLFry620@yahoo.com)

3: Determine which publishing option you will pursue early on in the process of writing your book. And have some companies in mind. This research could take some time—be sure to check each company you consider. Let me know if you need some tips for checking the credibility of publishing companies and self-publishing companies. (PLFry620@yahoo.com)

4: Begin building your platform. This means, if you aren’t already known in your field or in your genre, take steps to become known. There are countless ways to do this. Read some of the posts I’ve done on platform. Study the section on platform in “Publish Your Book.” In the meantime, use your imagination to make yourself more visible to your particular audience, talk about your book everywhere you go, collect email addresses of those who might be interested in your book, join organizations related to the theme/genre of your book and so forth.

5: Start devising a marketing plan early on. What skills do you have that you can use in promoting your book? You already know who your audience is—where do they hangout, buy books, etc. What conferences, meetings, lectures do they attend? What periodicals do they read, what websites do they visit? Map out a plan based on your responses to these questions.

6: When you finish your last draft, hire a book editor. This does not mean your child’s teacher, a friend who is good with words, the retired professor down the street. Hire a book editor who is currently working in the field. Expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $3,000 (possibly more), depending on the extent of work your manuscript needs.

7: Part one: If you hope to attract an agent or one of the many traditional publishers out there who are hungry for a good project: while your book is with the editor, start approaching appropriate agents or publishers. (Not all publishers require that you come to them through an agent.) Locate the submission guidelines for each agent/publisher you hope to approach. Send a masterfully-written query letter to those that require one first. (If your editor is industry-savvy, he/she can help you with the query letter.) If you didn’t do so as part of step 1, start preparing a book proposal for those agents/publishers who require one.

Part Two: If you plan to self-publish (establish your own publishing company) or go with a pay-to-publish company, begin now implementing your marketing plan. Make contacts, write press releases, schedule presentations, etc.

Doesn’t sound like an easy journey, does it? But if you want your project to succeed—if you want to be one of the 22 percent of authors who actually makes it, it is important that you pay close attention to these 7 steps.

Questions? PLFry620@yahoo.com

Are You Taking Care of Your Book’s Business?

Saturday, March 9th, 2013

This is day one in Tucson. I will be part of two panel discussions this afternoon at the Tucson Festival of Books—on Book Publishing and Book Marketing. I look forward to sharing the experience with you in tomorrow morning’s post. Although my panels tomorrow start at 10, so I may not have the time.

In the meantime, I hope you are taking the right steps toward your publishing success no matter where you are in the writing/publishing/book marketing process. Contact me with your progress, your challenges, your questions. PLFry620@yahoo.com or leave a comment here.

1: If you are writing a book, make sure you are writing a book that is needed/wanted by a strong segment of readers.

2: Are you keeping your readers in mind throughout the entire writing process? Can they keep up with your story? Are they apt to be confused? Is your book organized logically?

3: If you are seeking a publisher, have you studied all of your options? Are you taking your time through this process? There are a lot of people out there in the lucrative publishing industry who are willing to take your money. You must become the CEO of your book—make educated decisions.

4: If you are marketing your book, make sure that you are making yourself and your book high profile. Do you have a plan? It should include short-term and long-term activities. And personality should be part of your plan—get out and speak about your book, make appearances at author and literacy events, book festivals, etc. Do book signings. Get out and speak to your audience.

For help with any phase of this program, start now studying the books I wrote especially for you—the new and the struggling author:

Publish Your Book
Promote Your Book
Talk Up Your Book

Available at amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio and at most other online and downtown bookstores.

7 Mistakes Authors Make and How to Avoid Them, Continued

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

Yesterday, I shared 3 publishing mistakes that authors make and how to avoid them. Today, we’ll discuss four more.

4: Many authors don’t understand publishing terms
.
Authors will say to me, “I’m self-publishing with ABC Publishing Company.” What they are actually doing is going with a pay-to-publish company. What are your primary publishing options?

Royalty Publisher
A traditional royalty publisher puts up the money for the production of your book and pays you royalties on books sold. These publishers are generally very selective in the books they publish. Your manuscript must be well thought out, well written and something for which there is a market.

Self-publishing

Self-publishing means that you establish a publishing company (get a fictitious business name, purchase your own block of ISBNs, etc.). You get your book ready for publication, you hire a printing company, you are responsible for distribution and shipping and you reap all of the profits.

Pay-to-Publish Company (self-publishing company)

You pay the company to produce your book. Most of these companies will accept any manuscript—they are not generally discriminating. They each enter the publishing arena with very different publishing contracts. It pays to do plenty of research so you know exactly what you’re signing.

5: Newby authors don’t generally solicit advice from professionals until it is too late.
Do NOT sign a contract with any publisher or purveyor of publishing services without hiring a literary or intellectual properties attorney. This should go without saying, yet thousands of authors each year bypass this important step.

I also recommend that inexperienced authors talk to other authors who have used the services they are considering. Contact organizations such as SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org Independent Book Publisher’s Association (IBPA) and Small Publishers of North America (SPAN). Read Mark Levine’s book, “The Fine Print of Self-Publishing.” You can get the ebook version of this valuable book when you join SPAWN ($65/year). Ask questions.

6: Uninformed authors blindly sign up for unnecessary services.
Most professionals recommend that you shy away from paying extra for editing services, marketing services and such things as a return policy insurance plan.

7: Authors neglect to hire an editor.

Many authors, by the time they complete their manuscript and self-edit it, they are more than ready to get it published. Some of them don’t feel they have the money to spend on a professional editor. Some expect to get a good enough editing job through their pay-to-publish company. Still others believe that they don’t need to hire an editor because traditional publishers have editors on staff.

One of the biggest mistakes a hopeful author can make is neglecting to hire a professional editor before approaching publishers of any type. News flash: publishers want to see professionally edited manuscripts.

If you want to enter into the world of publishing, learn something about the business. Study your options and the ramifications of your choices. Define your responsibilities as a published author. You may still make a few mistakes along the way—we all do, but knowledge will definitely save you money and heartache.

Order your copy of Publish Your Book at Amazon.com this weekend. You’ll dodge a whole lot of bullets. It’s available in print, Kindle and audio.

Join me Saturday and Sunday at the Tucson Festival of Books. I’ll be part of four panels throughout the two day event. Learn more here: http://www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org

7 Publishing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

I have hundreds and hundreds of articles stored on my computer. Most of them relate to writing, publishing and book promotion. In the last eight years alone, I’ve posted over 1,750 blogs. I constantly come up with new article, blog and book ideas. But occasionally, I find it worthwhile to go back and revisit some of my topics. That’s what I’m doing today.

Here’s a message that’s worth repeating.

Following are 7 mistakes that many new authors make—mistakes that can cost you large sums of money and dramatically diminish your opportunity for publishing success.

1: Inexperienced authors write a book as the first step. Why is this considered a mistake? If you aspire to have your book published and widely distributed, this may be the wrong approach. Whether you’re writing a how-to book, biography, self-help, romance novel, children’s story, mystery, memoir or dictionary, write a book proposal first.

In the process of writing a book proposal, you will:
• Learn if you have a viable book at all.
• Discover whether there is a market for this book.
• Determine your target audience.
• Ascertain the best way to promote your book.
• Understand more about establishing your platform.

Write a book proposal as a first step and you’re more apt to write the right book for the right audience. How better to snag a traditional royalty publisher than with a promising project?

2: Eager new authors often go with the first publishing opportunity they stumble across. You don’t make other business decisions this quickly. You research the possibilities and study your options. Many authors forget that publishing is a business. We get so attached to our projects and so eager to see our books in print that we act emotionally rather than logically.

Learn the difference between a traditional royalty publisher and a pay-to-publish service. You’ll find hundreds of traditional royalty publishers listed in Writer’s Market (available in the reference section of your library or for sale for about $30 in most bookstores. A new edition comes out each September). There are other directories available online and in book form.

Visit bookstores in search of books like yours. Find out who published these books and contact those publishers.

As an author, you have many options. Research them, understand them and scrutinize them in order to choose the one that is right for your project.

3: New authors believe that they don’t have a chance with a traditional royalty publisher. This is simply not true. If you have a viable project, you arm yourself with knowledge and you approach the publisher in a professional manner, you have a definite chance of landing a traditional royalty publisher.

Find publishers who produce books like yours. Study their Submission Guidelines. Follow these guidelines in approaching them with your project. If they request a query letter first, do NOT send your complete manuscript. If you don’t understand what goes into a query letter, study books and articles about writing a query letter. Get help from a professional. I can help you, for example. PLFry620@yahoo.com

There are hundreds of small to medium-sized publishers eager for good, marketable books. For example, everyone knows that poetry books are a hard sell. Yet, Writer’s Market lists over 40 traditional royalty publishers who publish books of poetry. There are at least 125 publishers of mysteries and about the same number who produce historical novels. There are over 200 traditional royalty publishers that publish biographies and more than 175 who produce children’s books. Encouraging, isn’t it?

I’ll continue with items 4-7 tomorrow.

Tough Love For Authors

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

You’ve all heard of “tough love,” related to an errant teen. If your book isn’t performing as you had hoped, you might consider using tough love with it.

Sure, you want to coddle your wonderful book. You hope millions of people will buy it and love it as much as you do. But you don’t particularly want to put in the effort required—you don’t want to cause ripples or bother people. You expect interested readers to recognize the value in your book and rush to purchase it without your interference. Perhaps you find promotion distasteful. You really dislike hawking your book. The reality of today’s publishing climate, however, is such that you must be involved. Your dedicated, persistent attention is needed if you hope to sell more than a handful of copies of your fiction or nonfiction book.

In other words, you can’t just create it and then expect others to find it, recognize the value in it and grab it up all on their own. You must stand strong beside your book, confidently introduce it to the world and continually strive to convince your potential readers to buy it.

A meek author who does not wish to participate in marketing his or her book, who doesn’t have the time to do so and/or who doesn’t understand what it takes to sell books today, will be among the nearly 78 percent of authors who sell fewer than 100 books total. If this describes you, I suggest that you do one of two things:

1: Start training NOW for the marathon marketing program you must engage in if you want to sell books by the hundreds or thousands. Read “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author” and “Talk Up Your Book, How to Sell Your Book Through Public Speaking, Interviews, Signings, Festivals, Conferences and More.” Read them, study them and constantly refer to them.

OR

2: Give up the idea of writing a book for publication. If you aspire to succeed without knowledge of the publishing industry and if you enter into this competitive industry without a clear understanding of marketing, you will be wasting time and money.

Order Patricia Fry’s books at Amazon.com and other online and downtown bookstores.
Publish Your Book
Promote Your Book
Talk Up Your Book

You are in Control of Your Publishing Success (or Failure)

Sunday, February 24th, 2013

There are certain things that I constantly harp on. And sometimes I repeat my mantra over and over to the same clients, audiences and students. When speaking to groups of writers in various cities, often a hand will go up during the Q and A session and the individual will ask me something that I covered quite sufficiently in my spiel. How did he miss it? Why don’t some of my clients/students get what I so carefully and thoroughly pass along to them? Am I a poor teacher?

No. Some authors are in deep denial. They ask the same question again and again hoping for a new answer—one that they can accept and digest—something that is more within their comfort zone.

Some new authors don’t want to write a book for their audience. They want to write it strictly for themselves and, once they pay to have it published, they wonder why they can’t get people interested in reading it.

Many authors won’t accept responsibility for promoting their books—they don’t believe they should have to do anything other than write it and make it available. Later, they chalk up their failure to the fact that bookstores won’t carry their books or that they didn’t get that big break on the Jay Leno show like they should have.

Authors don’t believe me (and other professionals) when I say they need a platform—a following, credibility in their field or genre. When their book doesn’t perform the way they hope, they figure it’s because their editor screwed up, their cover designer led them astray or their webmaster didn’t build a good enough site.

Authors, pay attention to the experts—those professionals you trust. Listen to everything they say, not just those things you want to hear. Avoid reading falsehoods into what they tell you. Stop resisting those things that make you feel uncomfortable. Look at the big picture so that you can understand what you’re being told and why. Take the initiative on behalf of your book project. In fact, from day one—when you decide you want to write a book for publication—you should consider yourself the CEO of that book. This means that you must make educated decisions—that you need to take full responsibility for your project.

Now, do you want to pursue a project that is doomed to failure? If not, you’d better begin your education. Start by studying the publishing industry, read good books on the subject, attend writers’ conferences and writers’ group meetings where there are speakers from the publishing community. Once you truly understand the highly competitive business you are about to enter, you’ll be able to make better decisions on behalf of your book. And you’re more apt to be among the twenty-two percent of authors who sell more than just 100 books total.

Start by reading Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. Available at Amazon.com http://www.amzn.to/Tze53Z and most other online and downtown bookstores.

Plan to attend the huge Tucson Festival of Books and sit in on some of the panel discussions with industry professionals—agents, publishers, successful authors and others. I will be on four panels over the weekend (March 9 and 10) on publishing, finding a publisher, building your platform and marketing.

Designer Publishing Contracts

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Have you seen some of the creative contracts publishers are presenting these days? Many of you already know about the variations available when you sign with a pay-to-publish company. But what about traditional publishers? What sort of contracts are they offering?

Numbers of new authors who have produced their own books rather successfully are now publishing books for others. While many of them consider themselves traditional publishers, some are not following the traditional when it comes to their contracts.

I received one yesterday that basically paid no royalties. I could have one avenue of revenue for myself if I set it up. All money from this one source would be mine. And I could buy print books to sell at book festivals and such. But the contact did not tell you even what percentage you would be paying for your books. And if I showcased the book at my website, it would have to be with a link to their website for any potential sales.

Some traditional publishing contacts require that the author put up some of the money to produce the book. Some give higher royalties for ebooks.

Some publishers build into their contracts the right to reject your next project. If you write another book, they want first refusal (or acceptance) rights.

Have you received a nontraditional contract, lately? I’d like to have you share some of the unusual clauses with my followers. Leave your comment here.

Things Authors Do To Sabotage Their Success

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

1: The author either doesn’t attend lectures and workshops presented by professionals in the publishing/book promotion field or he attends some, but discounts the speakers’ suggestions.

2: The author hires an editor or a publishing consultant and doesn’t heed their advice.

3: The author neglects to hire an editor.

4: The author writes the book she wants to write without considering her audience.

5: The author has his book packaged in a bland cover, thinking that the cover doesn’t matter—it’s what’s inside.

6: The author does not research beyond finding an agent and expects his job to be over at that point.

7: The author hears about the concept of book promotion and marketing, but doesn’t think it applies to him or her.

8: The author learns that it is up to him or her to promote their book, but chooses not to go there.

9: The author signs with the first pay-to-publish company that he stumbles across.

10: The author doesn’t understand the contract, but signs it anyway.

11: The author expects his pay-to-publish or traditional publisher to handle all promotion.

12: The author doesn’t have a clue about the business of publishing.

If you see yourself in these scenarios, you are either already published and highly disappointed in the experience or you will soon be. What’s the remedy?

Study the publishing industry so you know what to expect and how to more successfully navigate this highly competitive business. Start by reading “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.” It’s at Amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores.

Write and Produce a Better Book

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Are you pleased with the books you turn out? Have you ever received a book from a pay-to-publish service, printer or even business center and felt a touch (or a slap) of disappointment? You didn’t like the cover, the inside design isn’t as you expected or you feel your story or your nonfiction book is lacking something? This isn’t unusual. And do you know why? Because we tend to rush our book projects.

As we near completion, we start projecting a publication date—the date we will get the book back from the publishing service or printer. If there is a holiday or special family birthday around that time, for example, we get attached to that date—“Gotta have it ready to promote at that time,” or “It would be so cool to have it ready for Uncle Frank’s 80th birthday.” If we start telling friends and colleagues about the pending book, our attachment to that date becomes even more intense.

When we allow this to happen, we are approaching our projects through emotions rather than a business sense and this can be dangerous. What’s the answer? How does an author establish the right pace for his or her project?

1: From the beginning, consider your book a product.

2: Make all decisions with regard to your book from a business and not an emotional place.

3: Educate yourself about publishing and keep your finger on the pulse of the industry.

4: Write a book proposal and prove to yourself what you may already know—that this is a valid project. Find out who your true target audience is, how many people this encompasses, where you will find them and how to approach them. What is the best way to promote to this audience and what can you bring to the table in this regard? In other words, what is your platform?

5: Hire a good book editor. And don’t write over him/her once they have cleaned up your manuscript. If extensive rewrites are recommended, always, ALWAYS take the work back to your editor for a final look.

6: Hire a cover design expert. While good writing, a good story and/or good information is highly important, you also need a cover that will grab the attention of your readers. If they avoid your book because of a dull cover or the title doesn’t spark an interest, they may never take a chance on what’s inside.

7: Move slowly and methodically through the publishing process. Be clear as to your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author. Choose your publishing option using business sense and make all of the decisions throughout the publishing process based on knowledge, not emotions.

Successful publishing is much more than a dedication to writing. While writing is a craft—a heart thing—publishing is a business. What other business can you start that doesn’t require a measure of business sense, knowledge of the field, an outlay of money (investment), clear-headed decision-making, affiliation with experts in various areas related to your field and a business plan?

For a serious grasp on what it takes to succeed in publishing today, read “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.” Available at Amazon.com as well as most other online and downtown bookstores. Also at http://www.matilijapress.com

What Does Your Publisher Expect From You?

Friday, February 15th, 2013

The day you receive a publishing contract is an exciting day, for sure. But it isn’t all fun and games. You have worked hard to get to that point—to win the brass ring. You wrote a book that was wanted/needed by a segment of people. You learned how to represent it so that it would pique a publisher’s interest. You have probably developed a strong platform and have shown that you understand what it takes to promote a book in today’s marketplace. You gave the publisher what he needed in order to make the right decision.

Now, you must be prepared to work with the publisher toward the success of your project. What will you be required to do? Here’s a list of possibilities:
• Complete any rewrites or proofing of edits in a timely manner.
• Respond to requests for your opinion on the book cover design.
• Fill out a detailed questionnaire for the publicity department.
• Provide lists of your most important contacts and potential book reviewers.
• Diligently and constantly promote your book.
• Keep the publicist updated on your promotional efforts and successes.
• Follow through promptly with contacts the publicist gives you for interviews, etc.

If you have additional novels or other nonfiction books in the pipeline, you’ll want to give your all to the task of promotion. This publisher will be more likely to accept those future books if you understand your role as a published author and do your part to make your book a success.

Just know that a publishing contact does not release you from the responsibility of promoting your book. In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite. No matter which publishing option you choose, including landing a traditional publisher, you—the author—are responsible for promoting your book.

This is the last in this week’s series on publishers. Study more about the publishing industry by reading this book, “Publish Your Book,” by Patricia Fry. Available at amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores.

Download my FREE ebook today: “50 Ways to Prepare for Publishing Success.” http://www.patriciafry.com