You’ve heard it before, “writing is a creative endeavor and publishing is a business.” While you must engage your right brain during the writing process, publishing takes left-brain power. Most new authors understand this—or think they do—until they finish their manuscripts and are faced with the realities of publishing.
Many authors spend about two hours studying the publishing industry. They might attend a local writers’ group meeting and listen to a speaker who describes the publishing process. The speaker’s experience sounds rather daunting, so the author opts for an easier path. Then the author turns on his computer, uses “publishing” or “get published” as keywords and promptly locates a list of publishers eager to publish his manuscript (sight unseen). You know the rest of the story—his publishing path is littered with disappointments, misunderstandings and a failed book.
What went wrong? He called upon their creativity while writing the book, but he neglected to use necessary strategy when it came to publishing.
You use strategy when playing a sport or a card game. You strategize in the course of your job. You use strategy when dealing with people—even, sometimes, those close to you. Strategy even comes in handy when you are training a pet, teaching a skill, putting on your makeup, paying bills, decorating a room or planning your vacation. Why, then, do you approach publishing with little knowledge using a scattershot method? Why do you pay large sums of money to the first “publisher” that expresses an interest in your project and then sorely neglect to follow-through with your responsibilities as a published author? I know why. It’s because you enter the publishing industry with little knowledge and unrealistic expectations.
It’s true, most new authors learn about publishing the hard way. They take a crash course in publishing by diving right in without a life preserver. (A life preserver being a synonym for knowledge, of course.) Sure, some of these authors survive the treacherous waters, but most do not.
So what is a better approach? I say that an author, once he has finished his book and he wants to be published, should lighten up on creativity and begin to apply strategies. The artist with a coffee table book, the homemaker with a book of recipes, the retired school teacher with a children’s book, the minister with a Christian novel, the grandmother with a young adult fantasy, the florist with a gardening book—each and every one of them, if they want to succeed as a published author—MUST enter into the world of publishing armed with knowledge.
Study the publishing industry—learn what your options are, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author. Once you have a better understanding of the publishing industry, then start strategizing.
• What are your short-term/long-term goals related to your project?
• What can you bring to the table in order to meet your goals?
• How far are you willing to stretch to create the level of success you desire?
• Based on your responses to the above, what is the best publishing option for you and your project?
There is a whole lot more that goes into creating a successful book than most new authors can even imagine. What most authors learn much too late is that the level of success they experience is directly related to the author. I have to tell you that there is no easy road to publishing success. And the strategies you used to produce and market one book might not work for another. But then, once you take the time to really study the publishing industry, you will begin to understand that.
FREE Ebook
Here’s an ebook that will definitely help you inch your way toward success with your book project. Download your FREE copy of, 50 Reasons Why You Should Publish Your Book.
http://www.patriciafry.com
Article-Writing Course Sign-Up
It’s not too late to sign up for my online article-writing course. It started last Tuesday. The second lesson and assignment will be sent to students Tuesday February 22. If you want to learn how to supplement your income through article-writing or you would like to promote your book through articles, sign up for this 6-week course ($125). Learn from someone who supported herself through article-writing for 25 years and who currently promotes her books through articles for appropriate publications.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm