It is good to have a plan, when you decide to write a book. All experts recommend that you enter into the treacherous publishing waters prepared—armed with knowledge and having decided on a direction. However, many authors, once they choose a course, become unmovable, no matter what they encounter along the way.
While it is a good thing to be tenacious and persistent in your pursuit for publishing success, it is also wise to change direction when appropriate—to be open to opportunities that arise.
A good idea can turn bad. In other words, what was the right choice in the beginning of your publishing pursuit may not be the way to continue. I want you to know that it is okay to make changes—to take another fork in the road.
For example, you may have chosen the pay-to-publish route the first time around. You studied your options and decided upon a particular company in order to get your book out there. You’ve learned a lot while attempting to position your book among the others in your genre and yourself as an expert. But you feel that you’ve gone just about as far as you can with this company. It is okay (and probably a good idea) to make a change.
Perhaps you’ve done so well with your book through your own efforts that you could interest a traditional publisher in taking it over. Or maybe you would like more control over your project and are contemplating self-publishing. Your book might be conducive to ebook status. Why not arrange to have it produced for the Kindle and some of the other more popular ebook devices? It’s okay. It’s your book. As an author, you should remain fluid with your project.
If your book is at the mercy of a pay-to-publish company only and you find it is too costly to try to make sales to bookstores or to work with distributors, you must step out of the shadows and take charge. It is important that you make yourself aware of the possibilities for your book; that you know what you can do in order to take it to the next step; and that you have the courage to do so.
Stay with your original vision for your first book and you may never see it fly as you had hoped. Publishing is ever-changing and you, as an author, must be willing to stretch and bend along with the industry.
Some hopeful authors are so inflexible that they never get their books out to the public at all. One critical evaluation from an editor, one negative comment from a professional who professes that publishing is hard work and/or one rejection letter can kill that wonderful writing spirit. And this is such a shame.
If you are working on a book, now is the time to prepare for what’s ahead. First and foremost, study the publishing industry. Learn what it involves, what your options are, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author. Start by reading, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book (on sale now at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.
If you have a published book that isn’t selling as well as you had hoped, start opening your mind to other options and opportunities. Study this book. Network with other authors. Attend writers/authors conferences and lectures. Take classes. And don’t be afraid to take your book to the next level.
Whatever you decide to do next, make sure that you are moving forward and not stagnating. Publishing is not static and you shouldn’t be, either.
One thing you can do for yourself and your book is to sign up for Patricia Fry’s online Article-Writing course and learn how to promote your book through magazine articles. Or maybe you want to learn how to supplement your income through article work. This course starts this week. It is not too late to join in: http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
If you need help promoting your book, sign up for Patricia’s Book Promotion course.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm.