Writing and Publishing News

How do you go about writing a book? No, there isn’t just one way to do it. There are just about as many ways to approach the process of writing a book as there are authors.

While some authors get a germ of an idea and just go with it&#8212they write a book and publish it within a matter of months&#8212others procrastinate for years. It’s true, I know authors who have been working on books almost all of their adult lives. Of course, they probably still haven’t finished that bathroom remodel they started 25 years ago, either.

What is your book writing style? Are you organized? Are you a straight-away writer? Do you just sit down and start writing, while your story or how-to book just evolves? Or are you a chunky writer? You write your book in chunks&#8212a chapter here, a side-story there, a vignette now and then. Maybe you’re still a wannabe author. You have a book in your heart, but you just don’t know how to put it on paper.

I’ve met very patient authors who keep adding to and changing their books for years, never quite satisfied enough to complete it. For some, I think they’re simply hooked on the process. They somehow fear or feel uncomfortable with the idea of completion&#8212of allowing this project to become anything other than a daily ritual.

I’ve also met impatient authors who rush their books. They can’t wait and won’t wait to bring out the book. They go with the first publishing service they discover and that offers them a contract. Generally, this author is quite unprepared for what comes after publishing. They say, “Oh, I am responsible for selling my book? I didn’t know that. I don’t want to be a promoter. I just want to write. Why didn’t someone tell me what was involved in producing a book?” Sigh!

How do you know when a book is finished? This is a question in many authors’ minds. There is no formula to indicate when a book is complete. It’s not a matter of word or page count. Authors don’t usually experience a lightening strike marking the end of a story or a how-to book. Some authors never finish their books because they never get that sense that the book is complete. There’s always more story they can tell&#8212more information, statistics and other material they can add.

And there are authors who are afraid to move forward. They wonder, “What if,
• I can’t find a publisher?”
• no one buys my book?”
• this book isn’t as interesting or valuable as I think it is?”
• my writing isn’t good?”
• I lose money on this project?”
• my promotional efforts fail?”
• I get sued for libel?”
• I haven’t represented the story accurately?”
• I’ve missed an important statistic?”

What drives you to write your book and what hampers your progress as an author? I guess it depends on your personality, your dreams, your goals, your fears, your level of confidence, your energy level, your priorities and your time-management skills. I’d like to hear from you with regard to your writing habits, motivations and lack of.

I’ll be on the road for a week. I’m presenting back-to-back workshops at the WOW Wizards of Words Writers Conference in Phoenix Saturday October 11. I hope to meet some of you there. On Wednesday, October 15, I’ll be speaking at the Prescott Library in Prescott, AZ. If you’re in the area, please come by. My topic is, “2 Secrets to Publishing Success.”

I’ve been wrestling with Amazon, lately. A student in my book proposal course, attempted to order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book from amazon.com. After several days, she received an email saying that the book is unavailable. Huh!?! What happened is that we have two editions of this book. One is out of print and we have not been able to get Amazon to remove the 1st (out of print) edition from their database. Within a week, however, they are supposed to display the 2nd edition front and center and put the 1st edition in the second row. They want to keep it because they are selling used copies. Can you believe that they are selling this book for as much as $125.00? You can get one cheaper than that. The lowest price for a used copy of this first edition at Amazon is $39.95. Amazing. The book sold new for the same price the 2nd edition sells for, $19.95.

For ease in ordering The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book go to http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Be sure to read the great comment left by Phil Davis (of Authors on the Net) at my September 5th, 2008 blog post. He is reading my book&#8212the one I keep nagging you to purchase&#8212The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. And it seems that he likes it. Yeah!

Today, I sent the 4th lesson in the 8-week Book Proposal Course to my students. We’re going to be working on the marketing section this week. You ought to see the great synopses these authors have written. It is exciting to watch a synopsis develop. Sometimes, with a little guidance, they can really change from a homely old, spiky caterpillar into a lovely butterfly.

The synopsis, while generally written with a promotional quality, also requires that the author express the flavor of the book. So there is some creativity and literary freedom allowed. The marketing section of a book proposal takes creativity, too, but from a more business-like, professional stance. The author must convince the publisher that there is an audience for his/her book, that he/she has a platform (a following or way of attracting the audience), that he/she understands the concept of marketing and promotion and that they have important connections and/or a viable marketing plan.

Writing a book and finding a way to get it published isn’t enough. This is not the end of the story. In fact, the saga and your involvement go on and on and on for as long as you want to sell copies of your book.

I’m getting ready to leave for Phoenix this week to present a workshop at the Wizards of Words (WOW) Writers’ Conference Saturday. I’m looking forward to meeting those of you who will be attending. One thing I will talk about is the high instance of failure among authors. You need to know why authors fail so that you don’t follow that path. It is easy to do. It’s much easier to fail than to succeed. Why? Because, in order to fail, you must do nothing. In order to succeed, however, you must do a LOT! Isn’t it easier to do nothing than it is to do everything you need to do? But do you want to take the easy way out? After going through all of the work to write your book and arrange for publication, do you want to quit, now?

If you didn’t prepare a book proposal before producing your book, you are probably not aware of your responsibility as promoter. You will not be prepared to take on the job. And if you don’t learn how to promote your book, it will fail. You will have failed it and your potential readers. If the book is worth writing, for heaven sakes, it is worth seeing that it gets into the hands of your readers.

If you have not done so already, order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. If you do own it, READ it!
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

This book will help you to understand the business you are about to enter&#8212the publishing industry. It will guide you in writing your book. (Authors love the self-editing section.) It will walk you through the process of writing a book proposal. It will show you how to establish a platform and to build promotion into your book. It will help you to determine which publishing option is best for you and your project. It will guide you in approaching your publisher of choice and working within that realm. And it will escort you through the long, but rather fascinating book marketing journey.

It has been a busy few weeks. But that’s really nothing new. Ever since I decided to hang out my shingle and work with other authors and freelance writers on their projects, some years ago, I have been almost constantly busy. I’ve learned that I have to take the time to putter in the garden. I schedule time to do my daily walk. I make time to spend with my mother and grandchildren or to do a sewing project. Otherwise, my clients and other authors and freelance writers who have questions or need editorial work or guidance, keep me occupied.

So what do I do for others? Within the last few weeks, I edited a manuscript, I’ve been teaching an online book proposal course, I’m in the process of working with 4 authors on their book proposals&#8212one of them I am writing from scratch, I’ve fielded some questions with regard to magazine article submissions and I’ve provided some resources for clients, former clients and authors at large.

I don’t know the answer to every question that comes my way, especially if it has to do with entertainment law. And would you believe I had two questions within this realm just this week? But I can provide resources, which I did.

I’ve done a lot of teaching these past few weeks&#8212attempting to pass along some editorial principles writers can use with their projects forevermore. Some “students” are sponges and they learn the concepts quickly. With others, I feel as though I’m using a large hammer to pound the principle into them.

I evaluated a couple of manuscripts for hopeful authors, recently. One was a very good manuscript. I only had to point out small grammatical and punctuation problems which I hoped would help him along on the right path with his project. I returned my evaluation days ago and have not even received a “howdy do” from this gentleman. Does this mean he was not pleased? Well, he sure should have been. He ought to see what I have to tell some of the people who send me manuscripts for evaluation. Even the sandwich method, using LOTS and LOTS of the good stuff, doesn’t always soften the blow of the bad things I feel I must report.

I actually evaluated such a manuscript a few weeks ago. Oh my gosh, was it in trouble. I could sense the author’s heart in it and I could tell that he was trying&#8212maybe too hard. It reminded me of someone who had never ridden a two-wheeler bike before, out there trying to stay upright on it. It just wasn’t happening. But that doesn’t mean that this person can’t learn to ride the bike or that he can’t learn to write a story.

What do I suggest in such cases? Well, I could ask for a lot of money to work with this author, couldn’t I? It would be a long haul and intense work. At the end of it, I could probably afford to go on a cruise. But I think there are better ways for someone to get the preliminary lessons and help they need&#8212the basics&#8212the beginning concepts and principles of writing. How? I suggest that they get involved in a writers’ critique group and/or that they sign up for a creative writing class. A basic English class might help, but some of them are just a little over the top, as far as I’m concerned. Sure, a writer needs an understanding of the English language, but I’m not sure that the class will benefit a wannabe writer as much as peer critique sessions will.

And none of the above will help any writer who is too attached to his or her work&#8212who refuses to listen or to change&#8212who is not open to or tolerant of even constructive criticism.

There’s a lot of responsibility in writing and authorship. Not only are writers looked to for accuracy, we are often looked upon as authorities. We have a responsibility to our readers to provide meaningful material in an interesting, entertaining way. And part of this whole responsibility issue includes our willingness to be the best that we can be.

Do you belong to a critique group? Do you listen to comments and suggestions with an open mind or do you attend in hopes of hearing only lavish compliments. Are you the only one in your group who loves your work and considers it near perfection? Do you have trouble understanding any comments suggesting changes? Do you get defensive during the meetings and feel like you’re being picked on? Do you go home from the meetings time and time again feeling unhappy, deflated, misunderstood? Believe it or not, this describes some of the hopeful authors I meet.

Of course, there are bad critique groups. Often, a critique group will have one bad seed&#8212one person who can’t say anything nice about anyone’s work. You’ll notice that this person rarely shares his or her material. Don’t get me started…

So what is my message today? When you ask for a peer or professional opinion, listen to it as if it matters because it just might be your ticket to publishing success. This is not to say that everything you hear or read is absolutely correct and applies to your project. But the more open your mind&#8212the more accurate your evaluation and the more value you will receive. Makes sense, yes?

You know what I represent. I’m available to edit your manuscript, guide you in article submissions, help you with your book proposal or the huge job of marketing your book. And I will respond to your questions, if you’ll allow me. Sign up for one of my online courses:
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm.

Contact me through the “Comments” function at this blog. Or email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com. Purchase my hallmark book: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

I’ve been spoiled. Most of my clients love me. They listen intently to what I say. They are eager to learn and to succeed. They may get a bit irritated occasionally when I insist that they stop leaving two spaces between sentences or when I remind them AGAIN that single quotation marks are to be used only inside double quotation marks.

But, lately, I’ve had some challenging interchanges with authors and hopeful authors. One woman with a book on caregiving for the elderly wanted to call and ask me some questions. Like I always do, I suggested that we start with an email conversation. I asked her to send me some of the questions she had in mind. I responded to a few of them briefly and went ahead and invited her to call. She spent most of the hour telling me what she knows about the publishing industry. It would have been an easy 50 bucks if I’d just relaxed and listened, but I had to interject my thoughts and try to share what I thought were more reasonable conclusions than what this author was coming up with. She had pretty much already convinced herself that there is no hope in publishing, so why even try. Yet, she was expending enormous time and energy continuing her research, I guess, so she could further defend her position.

I suggested that there are reasons other than the desire for riches to publish a book. For some, it is to give back&#8212to help others&#8212to offer something new, different and wonderful. For some, it is to simply express themselves or to add to their credibility in a certain field or area of interest. There are many reasons to write and publish and book. And there are only a few reasons for not doing it. A major one is fear.

How long have you been working on your book project? Are you procrastinating about publishing it? Are you going through all sorts of motions and emotions as a way to stall the project? What is keeping you from your dream? Are you intimidated by so much perceived failure in the industry? Are you expectations so high that you have come to realize you cannot achieve this level of success? Is monetary success all that matters to you with regard to your publishing project?

Sure, there’s a multitude of failure within the publishing industry, but the research you’ve been doing is teaching you why the failure is occurring, thus you can arm yourself with the antidote.

Those of you who have had books in the works for more than a year or two or who have all but given up on your book projects, what are you thinking? No seriously, what are you thinking? What are your publishing/writing goals? Why did you start writing this book in the first place? What is its purpose? Is it still a valid project? Or have you given up the dream?

You know I believe in educating yourself about the publishing industry before getting involved. You know how much I nag about understanding something about the publishing industry before diving in. But I also believe there comes a time when you really have to fish or cut bait. So what will it be? Are you going to go fishing or forever sit on the dock cutting bait?

Let my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book help you safely navigate the publishing industry.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html