We’re back from the Kern Festival of Writers. It was quite a nice day in the high desert and I ran into several authors I know from other author events. It was fun to catch up with them. Attendance was low, but there were enough hopeful and new authors there with questions to keep me busy, and some of them bought books.
I’d like to share a typical scenario that occurs at these events and yesterday was no exception.
A hopeful author will ask how they should go about getting published. What they want to hear is something like this, “Send your manuscript to Such and Such a publisher on Thursday of next week and he will promptly issue you a publishing contract.”
What I have to tell them is, “First you must study the publishing industry so you know something about this business you are about to enter into. Before getting involved, it is important that you know what your options are, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author.”
And what they hear is, “There is no way you are going to get your manuscript published. You don’t have a chance in h— of landing a publisher.”
Some of them hear, “Go ahead with your original idea to pay a company to produce your book. If it’s a really good book, you’ll have no problem selling truckloads of copies.”
While some authors are absolutely eager to learn the right way to approach publishing and they are all ears when it comes to the concept of book promotion, others are in seriously deep denial. They see other authors succeed. It looks easy. Obviously (to them) it is just a matter of somehow getting your book published and then you’re on your way toward financial success and personal satisfaction.
So what is the “right way” to approach publishing?
Before deciding to write your book:
1: Begin studying the publishing industry. Read my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” This is the best book I know of for gaining insight into and understanding the world of publishing today. At this point, you don’t need to know how to get your book at Amazon or how to spend your royalties. Right now, you need to learn how to navigate the fiercely competitive publishing arena, what your options are and which one is actually best for your book and for you. This book will save you more money and heartache than you can even imagine. This book is discounted at my website now:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
2: Start building on your platform. Your platform is your following, your way of attracting your audience, your connections. (More about your platform in Monday’s blog.)
3: Accept the reality of your level of responsibility as a published author. The author is responsible for promoting his or her book no matter which publishing option he or she chooses.
If you are planning a book or you have one to sell, order my new book today: “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.”
http://amzn.to/oe56Ia
Check out all of the 5-star reviews at Amazon.