What does your author’s library consist of? Do you purchase books using a system—you seek out books on certain aspects of writing, publishing and book promotion? Or do you pick up books as you see them. Most authors have multiple books on these topics. And this makes sense, since different authors have varied expertise and have had different experiences. Not only that, there are books for beginners and others that might be more suited to the seasoned author.
Most novelists’ libraries have several, if not dozens of books on writing fiction. And this is good—there are many theories and methods of presenting techniques. Every author, at any stage of the process, should have books on publishing. If you plan to publish the book you are writing, you need to be studying the publishing industry. This is usually number one on my to-do list for any author who decides he or she wants to write a book on any topic or in any genre. Of course, I recommend “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author,” (Allworth Press, 2011). This is the revised and updated version of my “Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book,” (2007 and 2008).
I review books for authors, and I have not come across any other book that covers the industry and the author’s participation in it as completely and thoroughly as this one. (My reviews appear in SPAWNews each month. Subscribe FREE here: http://www.spawn.org and get a FREE ebooklet, “Promote Yourself! 25 Ways to Promote Your Book Whether You Are an Author, Artists or Small Publisher.”)
You need books on book promotion. I recommend that you delve into several books on book promotion throughout the course of writing the book and after–for as long as you want that book to sell. Certainly purchase three or four books on basic book promotion, plus books that specialize on Internet promotion, personal appearances, getting radio interviews and so forth. Those specialty books in areas you want to pursue or that you are a bit timid to pursue can be most valuable. Consider my book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author,” (Allworth Press, 2012). This is an amazing basic book on book promotion. It is a revised, updated version of a book I wrote in 2000, “Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book.”
For a specialty book on using your personality to promote your book, you must consider my latest book—the one-of-a-kind book—”Talk Up Your Book, How to Sell Your Book Through Public Speaking, Interviews, Signings, Festivals, Conferences and More,” (Allworth Press, 2012).
You might also purchase a book on writing a book proposal, if you feel you need one. I recommend writing a book proposal first—yes, before you write the book—in order to get your bearings within the publishing industry. (I will go into the reasons why—how you can expect a book proposal to increase your chances for publishing success in tomorrow’s blog.) I recommend, “Write the Perfect Book Proposal” by Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman and “How to Write a Successful Book Proposal” by Patricia Fry. There are numerous others.
I also offer an online course on writing a book proposal. http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm
Authors should have a good style and grammar book at their elbow while writing and self-editing their books. For authors, it should be the “Chicago Manual of Style.” It is pricey, but worth the money.
All of these books are available at Amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores. Patricia Fry’s books can also be purchased at http://www.matilijapress.com