Are you pursuing your dream to be a published author? How long have you had this dream? What steps are you taking toward achieving your goals?
If you are methodically and carefully jumping hurdles, working through challenges and moving toward your publishing goals, congratulations. If you are still viewing those goals from the starting side of the perceived barrier because you are afraid to take the leap, I’d like to offer a kick in the pants. (My clients say I am good at this.) And if you are racing toward authorship swiftly—ever so eagerly—actually knocking down some of those hurdles, I urge you to slow down.
Authors in each of these categories WILL make mistakes. But the majority of mistakes will be perpetuated by those who rush the process. Here’s what to watch out for:
• You are so eager to get your wonderful book published that you sign with the first pay-to-publish representative who expresses an interest.
Instead: Research all of your publishing options: traditional royalty publisher, pay-to-publish company and self-publishing (establishing your own publishing company). Study the reputation of your publisher of choice—check warning sites, follow up on references, hire an intellectual properties attorney to explain the contract to you. While I encourage you to leap toward your dream—I want you to look carefully before you do so.
• You have written the wrong book for the wrong audience and you are not getting nearly the sales you expected.
Instead: Write a book proposal before writing your book. A well-researched book proposal will tell you whether you have a book at all, who is your audience and how to promote the book to this audience.
• You didn’t know that you—the author—are responsible for promoting your book.
Instead: Study the publishing industry before you ever sit down to write a book so you know what to expect of the industry and what your responsibilities as a published author are. It is the author’s responsibility to promote his or her book no matter which publishing option he or she chooses.
• You know that you needed to participate in promoting your book, but you have no idea how to go about it.
Instead: Promoting a book in this competitive publishing climate is a very challenging activity. It is important to know who your audience is, where they are and how to reach them way before ever producing a book.
Becoming a published author is an awesome experience. But, in order to make your publishing experience successful, you must view it as a serious business. Even if you land a traditional royalty publisher for your amazing book, in order to be successful, you must approach authorship from a business standpoint.
Prepare yourself for the huge role as an author by reading The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. You will NOT be disappointed. In fact, this may be your best opportunity to experience successful authorship.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
I’m offering FREE book manuscript evaluations. Send me 20 pages via Word attachment and I will look at it from the standpoint of publishing possibilities, editorial accuracy, flow, etc. PLFry620@yahoo.com