Writing and Publishing News

Sometimes I wonder what there is left to say about the process of writing, publishing and marketing a book. Yet, I, and many others, continue to write articles, add to our blogs, write books and go out and speak on these topics. Why? Because there’s a new book idea conceived, a new book ready for publication and a new book to be promoted every day. Want proof? Last year, there were over 560,000 titles produced.

Not every author is at the same professional level. Some of you are finally sitting down to write that book you’ve had in your heart for years. Others have spent a decade or more writing a book and want to finally publish it. Yet, others of you have been waiting for your published books to sell and now want to commit to making it happen. The fact that you are reading this and other useful, informative blogs is a GREAT start toward your success.

Knowledge is definitely your friend. And the more information and resources you gather during your, hopefully, ongoing research, the more real your chances of success.

But you want to start your study early. Ideally, you will understand what it takes to bring about a potentially successful nonfiction book even before you start writing it. You’ll understand that the well-researched, well-organized, book proposal is your key to writing the right book for the right audience. And you’ll be well-aware of your options and obligations way before you actually delve into the serious realm of publishing.

Here’s my formula for publishing success:

Whether the planned book is fiction or nonfiction:
• Study the publishing industry until you have a clear understanding of your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibility as a published author.

For Nonfiction:
• Write a book proposal. This will guide you in developing a book that is actually wanted/needed and marketable. Through the book proposal process, you will learn your deep-down purpose in writing this book, your audience demographics, whether or not this book is a viable product and the best ways to promote it.

For Fiction:
• Most inexperienced fiction writers need some help developing their characters, moving their story along and so forth. That’s why I recommend joining a writers’ critique group during the writing process.

For Fiction and Nonfiction:
• Once you’ve finished your manuscript, hire a good editor. Expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $3,000, depending on the word count and the condition of your manuscript. Be sure to choose an editor based on recommendations, references and reputation.

Throughout the planning, writing, publishing and marketing process, continue to study and learn. Avoid isolating yourself from the information, resources and sound advice you need. Attend writer’s conferences, join appropriate publishing groups and organizations, subscribe to some of the most informative, useful newsletters and read the most highly recommended books.

Here are my recommendations: I wrote my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book because I was meeting so many failed authors who had made costly mistakes. None of them studied the publishing industry, nor did they know what to expect before getting involved. They did not know their options, the possible consequences of their choices or their responsibilities as a published author. In this book, I do not tell you how to publish your book, I provide you with information, introduce and explain your options and help you to understand all that comes after the process of publishing. I pave the roads and you choose those that seem most logical for your project, based on your clear understanding—not wishful thinking. Order this book here: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

I also suggest that you join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org.

Dues are $45/year and, if you partake of all that we offer members each and every month, you will gain many times that amount in book sales, money saved, heartache avoided, and so much more. And you will quickly learn what I mean when I say that knowledge is absolutely key to your success as a published author.

I also teach online courses in writing a book proposal and book promotion. Check them out at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

Questions? Contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Writing is a craft and publishing is a business.

Publishing is not an extension of your writing.

You hear and read me and other professionals make such statements. Still, so many authors and hopeful authors miss the point of this truth. I have to ask, “Do you know what a business is?” It’s a means of selling a product or service. It’s an entity through which one sells goods or services for profit.

When you become a published author and start selling your books, you are in business. You can approach your business in a couple of different ways.

• Create a business plan, take the steps to establish a bonafide business—apply for a fictitious business name, request a resale permit, get a local business license, etc.—and get serious about promoting your book.

• Or you can remain in denial about your responsibilities as a published author and sit around waiting for your book to start selling.

What does it mean to be in business?
It means that you are responsible for providing a product or service, promoting it adequately, taking orders, getting it to customers in good shape and in a timely manner, keeping accurate records of purchases and sales, handling customer concerns and living up to your tax/licensing obligations to your county, state and country.

Those of you with books published through traditional royalty publishers, don’t need to establish a company of your own. Your publisher has done that, already. You will receive royalty statements, for example. But you will need some sort of business model which includes a record-keeping aspect in order to keep track of your expenses.

Do you need to create a business if you paid a fee-based POD “self-publishing” company to produce your book?

• If you want to claim your expenses, you probably need to form a business.
• If you plan to get highly involved in promotion, you should establish a business.
• If you hope to produce additional books and other related items and or services, you really need to create a business.

Not every author wants to go into business. And that’s okay. But you can’t have expectations of your book selling by the truckloads, being invited as a guest on major TV shows, landing a distributor, getting your book into bookstores and so forth, if you don’t have a business.

A huge part of that business, of course, is promotion and marketing. And this is one great reason for establishing a business.

• When you promote a book through a legally established business, you are apt to take this task more seriously than if you are just haphazardly selling books when you feel like it.

If you are writing a book for publication or if you have already reached author status, consider forming a business around your book. You’ll treat it with more respect and so will others.

For additional information about establishing a business, finding a distributor, writing a book, self-editing, book promotion, getting book reviews, choosing a publishing option, approaching publishers, writing a query letter, writing a book proposal and MORE, order my book today: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html