I like to tell new and hopeful authors, who are overwhelmed by the scope and breadth of publishing, to look at it as if it is a giant puzzle. There are puzzles pieces designed just for you and that, when used, will fit perfectly to form your ideal publishing needs and requirements.
Most people enter into the world of publishing without enough of the puzzle pieces. They have a minimum of (or no) knowledge about the publishing industry. They don’t know that there are options in publishing and that not all options are right for every author and every project. They don’t understand that there are many decisions to be made on behalf of their book projects and that it is up to the author to make the right ones. They don’t know what their responsibilities and their obligations as a published author are.
New authors see books in bookstores. They buy books and see other people buying books. They watch interviews on TV with authors and they read book reviews in magazines and at websites.
They hear terms such as, Best Seller and Award Winning. They are fully aware of the books that are bringing in large royalty checks and they think this is the norm. Many of them believe that all you have to do is write the book. It will be published and then you become rich. Oh yes, and the author lives happily ever after in his luxury home office writing sequel after sequel. Wouldn’t it be nice to have all of the correct puzzle pieces handed to you the minute you decide you want to publish your great works?
Sure some authors land sweet publishing deals. Some of their books get Best Seller and Award Winning status. A few of them even receive large royalty checks. But this is NOT the norm. The majority of authors today must work very hard to produce and promote their books. Most of those who do, are barely making it. Those who neglect to search for the right puzzle pieces—make the right decisions on behalf of their books—are losing ground and will, most likely fail.
I look at SPAWN as the keeper of (or dispenser of) the puzzle pieces you need in order to experience success as a published author. SPAWN is Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network. http://www.spawn.org.
My book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book is also jam-packed with pieces to the publishing puzzle. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.
So what do these puzzle pieces consist of?
• Knowledge of the publishing industry.
• Available publishing and marketing options.
• Clues and solid information to help you make the right decisions.
• Guidelines to lead you along well-mapped routes.
• Resources of every kind.
• Tools to help you use what’s available in order to reach your publishing goals.
Have you located the pieces to your publishing puzzle? Or are you still struggling to find a publisher, to self-publish your book, to get book reviews, to locate speaking engagements to promote your book or to sell copies of your book? If you feel that you’re missing pieces to your publishing puzzle, consider joining SPAWN. Read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. And order my new ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit. http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html.