There are varying degrees of authors. While some are writers, first and foremost, others simply have something to say and writing seems to be the best way to be heard. But there are a few authors who are also businessmen/women.
I teach and preach the importance of incorporating business savvy into your book even before you write it—especially before you publish it. And here are some reasons why:
Just this morning, a client told me that Oprah is no longer reviewing memoirs. My client’s book could be considered a memoir, but it has so many other elements to it AND she is just in the beginning stages of writing it, so she can make this book fit the genre of her choice. If this hopeful author had been holing up in her writing closet pouring all of her energies and concentration into the manuscript, this tidbit of information would have gone unnoticed and she may have made decisions that would prevent her from the Oprah option.
There’s a lot going on outside of your writing room—there are decisions being made within the publishing industry, rules being adopted and strict policies being set in motion. There are changes taking place, old-school procedures being adhered to and history in the making. And, as hopeful authors, you need to come up for air, look around and pay attention to what’s happening in the publishing industry. Here are some of the questions I get from hopeful authors each year:
• How do I get my book published?
• How do I approach a publisher?
• Do I need an agent?
• What’s a book proposal—do I need one for my book?
• How do I figure out what genre my book is?
• How do I get my book into bookstores?
• Can I get my book reviewed after it’s published?
• How can I find out about book reviewers for my book?
• Do publishers accept manuscripts via email?
• Do I have to adhere to those simultaneous submission policies?
• How much does a publisher charge to publish a book?
• What’s the first thing I should do now that my book is published?
• What is included in a press release?
And here are some of the complaints I hear from authors who didn’t study the publishing industry before producing their books
• The major reviewers have turned down my book.
• Bookstores won’t carry my book.
• I don’t know how to sell this book. Can you help me?
• I’m told that there isn’t a market for a book like this.
• How do I get people to come to my website?
• Libraries won’t buy my book because of the binding.
• My market is so limited.
To learn much more about the publishing industry, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Don’t wait to be unpleasantly surprised by the hard truths in publishing. Start studying the publishing industry from day one. Remember that publishing is not an extension of your writing. Publishing is a business and your book is a product. The earlier in the process that you shift from closet writer to active participant in the business of authorship, the more likely you will experience publishing success.