“I’ve just finished writing a book. Now what?” Every day, in every city, hopeful authors ask this question. They bring it up at their writers’ group meetings. They take an acquaintance, who happens to be an author, to lunch in hopes of getting answers. They contact professionals they find listed online or that a friend recommends to ask him or her how to proceed.
What they soon learn is that there is no formula, no one answer or resource for every author and every project. Successful publishing requires study, an open mind and the ability to make wise decisions based on you and your particular project. I know you read the part about making decisions, but did you read the words, “successful publishing requires study?” Or did you gloss over it in hopes it wasn’t actually there.
Wherever you are in the publishing process—stop your forward motion and pick up good books on publishing, subscribe to informative newsletters and join organizations where you can learn from others.
If you are still writing your book—you believe you are a ways off from the whole publishing scene—or if you are about to get involved in it, now is the time to start your study. If you haven’t started writing, yet, even better. You may not know it now, but you have a LOT to learn before you ever attempt to get a toe wet in the hugely competitive, complex world of publishing. Go to amazon.com right now and order “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author,” by me, Patricia Fry—publisher Allworth Press. You can buy it in print, Kindle or audio. It’s also available for other e-readers and in print at bookstores downtown as well as all over the Internet. You can even buy it from my site; http://www.matilijapress.com
Don’t make the mistakes that nearly 78 percent of authors make by neglecting to study the publishing industry. You need to have some understanding of the industry and how it works. You must know your options and the possible consequences of your choices. And you’d better be well-informed as to your responsibilities as a published author.
FYI, nearly 78 percent of all authors fail—that is, they sell fewer than 100 copies of their books total. Why? They did not understand the publishing industry, did not know about their choices or the possible consequences of their choices and they did not realize it was up to them to promote their books. Don’t fall into that percentage—be proactive on behalf of your book.
Your major responsibility, of course, is promoting your book. Do you have a clue as to how you’re going to do that? “Publish Your Book” has a large section on book promotion. But if you want more, you can order the companion book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.” If you think you do not need information about book marketing? Well maybe you don’t, unless, of course, you plan to become an author. “Promote Your Book” is also at Amazon.com in print, audio and on Kindle and it is also available at most other online and downtown bookstores.