You’ve made an educated decision—you had your book manuscript edited by an experienced book editor. You followed the editor’s instructions and suggestions for tightening your writing, rewriting muddy sentences, creating better transitions, etc. You have studied your publishing options and you’ve researched each one so you know you are making the right publishing decision for you and for your particular book. You are ready to move forward.
Now if you can’t relate to the first paragraph, let me back up a bit. You should know that, in publishing there are apples and there are oranges. A few grapefruit and lemons are tossed in as well. The policy manual and values of one company doesn’t necessarily reflect the policies and values of all. Choosing a publisher can be as personal as—well choosing a hairdresser or a best friend. You must do your homework and part of that homework is studying, not just the first publisher or pay-to-publish company that contacts you with a contract, but studying the publishing industry and all of your options. Become aware of the dangers. Find out who are the good guys and who have shaky reputations. And this is not something you can do on your own. Read books by professionals in the industry—including Mark Levine’s “The Fine Print of Self-Publishing.” Learn to do your own research in order to discover if Company A is upstanding or if there have been many complaints lodged against them, etc. And please, please, read my book, “Publish Your Book.” I wrote it just for those of you who are not, yet, familiar with the world of publishing.
Okay, once you have done your homework and made a good publishing choice, you will soon have a book in your hands. If you chose the pay-to-publish route or self-publishing (you’ve established your own publishing company), have enough books printed so you can give many of them away and still have some to sell. If you’ve gone with a traditional publisher, likewise, order at least two boxes of books to sell on your own. The publisher expects you to do this, you know.
Once you have made your publishing decision, you may have anywhere from two-weeks to several months before you hold your book in your hands. Start now seeking out book festivals, appropriate conferences and speaking opportunities where your audience congregates.
I’ve given these links to you numerous times, but here they are again:
To locate conferences related to your topic:
http://www.shawguides.com
http://www.allconferences.com
http://www.eventseye.com
http://www.eventsinamerica.com
To locate book festivals:
http://author-network.com/festivals.html
http://bookfestivals.com
Also conduct your own Internet search to find conferences and festivals in your area.
Before your book is a book, set up website start blogging.
Make sure your book is at Amazon.com. Generally, your publisher or pay-to-publish company will arrange this for you. Just make sure that it happens. Everyone shops at Amazon these days.
If you need more information, anecdotes and resources to help you develop or hone your speaking and communication skills, how to locate speaking engagements, how to get on radio/TV, how to do webinars, etc., be sure to read “Talk Up Your Book.” Available at Amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores. Also at my website: http://www.matilijapress.com
Tomorrow we’ll talk about those give-away books. Who are you going to give them to and why? What are the benefits of giving free books? Why does it pay to be generous?