Writing and Publishing News

Few things in life exactly meet our expectations. It’s rather amusing to realize that we typically view things from at least two perspectives. We have been given imaginations—so we visualize how we think something will turn out and then we may experience a totally different outcome.

I believe this is the case for many, many hopeful authors. They imagine one result and reality brings them something completely unexpected.

Just what do most of us imagine is at the end of the publishing rainbow? Fame and fortune? We see ourselves chatting with Oprah, making appearances on the popular late night shows, going on tour to exotic places and having the luxury of time to write the sequel. People look up to authors—authors are something special, after all. Once you’re an author, your status among your peers/colleagues/friends will certainly shift to a higher level. Is this what you thought?

Here’s the reality for most of us: Our first kick in the gut comes when our manuscript is rejected by our publishers of choice—yes, rejected without reason or cause. From there, we might eventually pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and launch a Google search in hopes of finding a publisher—any publisher—who will soothe our pain by publishing our books.

For countless hopeful authors, this means signing with the first pay-to-publish outfit that expresses an interest in their manuscripts. It feels pretty good, after all, to have someone validate you as an author and eagerly welcome the opportunity to publish your wonderful book. It’s hard to walk away from this sort of perceived support.

Not all authors go this direction, however. Some of them do their homework and realize that the pay-to-publish option isn’t for them and they go on to self-publish their fabulous book.

Still others may snub both of these options and keep looking for a traditional publisher. Those with patience and persistence may even land an appropriate small to medium-size publisher. Yeah!!

Despite the differences in these three publishing choices, all of these authors will face a similar reality once they hold their newly published books in their hands. What’s the reality? It is up to them—the authors—to promote and sell their books. And it is unlikely that they will be talking about their books on a major TV show, nor will they be touring far and wide to exciting places, unless it’s of their own arrangement and at their own expense. As far as the time and space to write that sequel? Not likely anytime soon.

So what is being an author all about? Those of you who have achieved “author” status, you know. I’d love to have you pipe in with stories of your personal expectations and eventual reality check.

Becoming an author is fairly easy. Today, you can just write a book—any ole book—and pay someone to publish it. But being a wildly (or even mildly) successful author is darn hard work. It means the following:

• Understanding the publishing industry.
• Being tuned-in to your particular target audience.
• Knowing where your audience is and how to reach them.
• Having the wherewithal to promote to your audience.
• Using tons of creativity, effort, time and patience in promoting your book.
• Hand-selling each and every copy of your book.
• Realizing that your book will sell only for as long as you promote it.

When you review this list, it is certainly a far cry from what you expect (or expected) from authorship, isn’t it? The thing is, writing is a craft—a heart thing. Publishing is a business. If you are an author, you are in business. If you want copies of your book to sell, there is no getting around this fact. As an author, you wear many hats and all of them require a lot of hard work.

When you read or hear that authorship is not for the timid or weak, believe it!

Now, if you are an author who is struggling to make it, be sure to read two of my books—my ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit, Heal Your Publishing Mistakes and Breathe New Life Into Your Book. Also read, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. This is a book you will want to keep on your desk at your elbow because you will refer to it often.

Order both books here: http://www.matilijapress.com

Are you pursuing your dream to be a published author? How long have you had this dream? What steps are you taking toward achieving your goals?

If you are methodically and carefully jumping hurdles, working through challenges and moving toward your publishing goals, congratulations. If you are still viewing those goals from the starting side of the perceived barrier because you are afraid to take the leap, I’d like to offer a kick in the pants. (My clients say I am good at this.) And if you are racing toward authorship swiftly—ever so eagerly—actually knocking down some of those hurdles, I urge you to slow down.

Authors in each of these categories WILL make mistakes. But the majority of mistakes will be perpetuated by those who rush the process. Here’s what to watch out for:

• You are so eager to get your wonderful book published that you sign with the first pay-to-publish representative who expresses an interest.

Instead: Research all of your publishing options: traditional royalty publisher, pay-to-publish company and self-publishing (establishing your own publishing company). Study the reputation of your publisher of choice—check warning sites, follow up on references, hire an intellectual properties attorney to explain the contract to you. While I encourage you to leap toward your dream—I want you to look carefully before you do so.

• You have written the wrong book for the wrong audience and you are not getting nearly the sales you expected.

Instead: Write a book proposal before writing your book. A well-researched book proposal will tell you whether you have a book at all, who is your audience and how to promote the book to this audience.

• You didn’t know that you—the author—are responsible for promoting your book.

Instead: Study the publishing industry before you ever sit down to write a book so you know what to expect of the industry and what your responsibilities as a published author are. It is the author’s responsibility to promote his or her book no matter which publishing option he or she chooses.

• You know that you needed to participate in promoting your book, but you have no idea how to go about it.

Instead: Promoting a book in this competitive publishing climate is a very challenging activity. It is important to know who your audience is, where they are and how to reach them way before ever producing a book.

Becoming a published author is an awesome experience. But, in order to make your publishing experience successful, you must view it as a serious business. Even if you land a traditional royalty publisher for your amazing book, in order to be successful, you must approach authorship from a business standpoint.

Prepare yourself for the huge role as an author by reading The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. You will NOT be disappointed. In fact, this may be your best opportunity to experience successful authorship.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

I’m offering FREE book manuscript evaluations. Send me 20 pages via Word attachment and I will look at it from the standpoint of publishing possibilities, editorial accuracy, flow, etc. PLFry620@yahoo.com

As you know, I’ve been traveling this week. It took me 11 hours to get to White Plains, New York Thursday and another 11 hours waiting in airports, changing planes and flying yesterday to get back home. (My luggage caught up with me hours later.)

Is it worth the expense, time and (perceived) hassle to attend writers’ conferences? Those of you who have attended good conferences know the answer to this question. Those who have not, may wonder: What goes on at a writers’ conference?

• You will, most likely, have the opportunity to learn from experts and professionals. Depending on the conference and the committee’s choice of speakers, you might learn more about social networking, how to develop stronger characters, how to approach a publisher, how to write a book proposal, ideas for promoting your book, how to keep a freelance writing business going and so much more.

• You’ll have many opportunities to talk casually—one-on-one—with experts and professionals.

• You’ll be afforded numerous opportunities to connect and network with other writers/authors.

• You might be able to make appointments with the magazine editors and/or publishers of your choice to discuss your project. (This is offered at some conferences and not others.)

• Most likely, you’ll be invited to attend banquets and hear major authors or other professionals speak—highly educational and inspirational.

What will you take away from a well-organized conference?
• Lots of new information and perspectives. As you know, I’m a freelance writing/publishing veteran and I always learn something of value when I am invited to speak at these conferences.

• Inspiration. You will be so inspired to write or you’ll be so filled with new promotional ideas that you won’t know where/how to start implementing them all when you get home.

• Courage. Yes—you may finally find the courage to start that novel or write that article or get out and really promote that book.

• New associations and friendships. A writers’ conference brings together like-minded people with whom you can relate. Unlike your non-writing friends and family, they will understand when you talk about your passion for writing or how it feels to be rejected. They will appreciate your sense of joy at landing a publisher, agent or writing job.

• Connections. Most of the writers/authors as well as the seminar leaders that you meet will welcome your questions, comments and continuing support beyond the conference. You can share your successes with a fellow author, ask one of the workshop leaders for a recommendation or reference with regard to a project, shoot an email to an editor you met with a question, for example.

But, as is the case in almost anything you do, any organization you belong to, your friendships, etc., you will get out of it what you put into it. If you research the conferences, attend the one that suits your needs best and participate to the fullest, you will benefit in ways that you cannot even imagine.

Redesign of my Website
I’m getting ready to do a redesign of my website. I got lots of ideas this weekend. Visit my website and tell me your ideas. How can I make this site more useful to you? While you’re there, be sure to purchase your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Wrap it up as a special gift for you this holiday season. If you are writing a book or you have a book that is struggling in the marketplace, you WILL benefit from this book.

My Conference Experience
By the way, even though there were dozens of books being signed Saturday by 30 authors at the Cat Writers’ Conference in White Plains, New York, I was the only one with books on publishing and I sold out!! It makes me feel sooooo good to know that those authors and hopeful authors will make better decisions than they would have without this book.

One author had already produced a book through a pay-to-publish company. She is not happy with this company in the least! For one thing, they promised her when she signed with them months ago, that her book would be here for the Cat Writers’ Conference. She checked back with them during recent months and weeks and they told her, “Yes, it will be there.” Well, as happens so often with these pay-to-publish outfits, the books did not show up. When she called them about it, she was given the royal run-around by people that she believes are stationed all around the world and who are given cheat sheets with pat answers they are instructed to give any authors who call.

She bought my book to learn how to promote her book once she gets the copies she ordered and to help her through the publishing process the next time.

http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

I arrived here in White Plains from California yesterday evening after a long day of traveling. I got to visit 4 airports all together—Santa Barbara, Denver, Chicago (O’Hare) and White Plains. All of those plane changes make for a long day.

I just finished speaking to a group of 25 or so on how to break out of your niche and start writing about topics other than cats. I think it went well.

Prior to my presentation, I listened to an author who has been published by some of the big guys. Her story was interesting, as was her perspective and her advice. Here are a few points she made—some of the same points I continue to make:

• Publishers are most impressed by authors who have expertise in their field—who have a following.

• Publishers really, really like working with authors who have already proven themselves as an author or an expert in their field.

• Publishers are not looking for good writing as much as they are looking for marketable writers.

• Publishers want to see a detailed book proposal.

• The comparable book aspect of the book proposal is extremely important. Publishers want to know what makes this book as good as the #1 book on your topic or in your genre.

These are some things for you to think about until I return with my next post.
In the meantime, sign up for one of my online courses: http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.html
Ask what sort of discount I’m in the mood to give.