I’m almost finished proofing my latest book—an ebook which I’ve decided to name, The Successful Author’s Handbook. It’s a compilation of 50 of my best articles for authors—some older ones and some brand new ones—but all evergreen articles. I’ll tell you more about the ebook when it is available.
For now, I’m doing what I keep harping at you to do—edit, edit, edit and proof, proof, proof. I’ve edited this book from many angles numerous times and still I have tabs attached to 44 pages so far indicating mistakes or things I want to change. Most of the tabs point out spacing problems that occurred during the transition from Word to PDF. And I did find two actual spelling mistakes in a new chapter. I wrote “though” instead of “through” and I neglected to ad an “s” on a word that should be plural. Otherwise, I’m making changes and adding things—so it’s a combination of editing and proofing that I’m doing.
Do you have Google Alert set on your name or the title of your book? This morning I found my name associated with a workbook put out by SPAN (Small Publishers Association of North America). They have created a nifty workbook for marketing and they list my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book along with 8 other recommended books. Yeah! Check out this FREE pdf workbook. You might find it quite useful. http://www.spanpro.info/workbook-web.pdf
We’ve had a lively discussion over the weekend through SPAWNDiscuss with regard to the term used for those companies that charge you to produce your book. You know, they used to be called “POD Companies” and then they became known as “self-publishing” services. I recently came up with a more realistic title, “pay-to-publish” services. A group of professionals liked this title and ran with it. We ended up putting together a document designed to help new authors understand the differences and pros and cons of each publishing option. I’ve given you the link before—but here it is again. Let me know if you visit this page and whether you find this helpful or not. http://www.simonteakettle.com/options.htm
I started the conversation at SPAWNDiscuss yesterday by asking members how we could get word out in order to try to get the “self-publishing” term changed to “pay-to-publish.” The general consensus was that it isn’t publishing professionals who created the “self-publishing” term at all. It was the companies, themselves. They want to lure hopeful authors in by making them believe that the author has some control over what happens to his project. They want the author to think he is actually self-publishing his own book. So not true!
I’d like to hear from authors who have gone with a pay-to-publish company or who are contemplating that choice. PLFry620@yahoo.com.
Well, it’s always fun spending time with you every morning, but I have a manuscript to proof. If we can get the cover designed within the next few days, this ebook could go live (at my website) next week.
In the meantime, visit my website and see my array of books, check out the articles I’ve posted, study my giant list of resources for authors and writers. Read about me and my journey as a writer/author. And make yourself a decision that’s going to move your career or your project forward in 2010. For example, subscribe to SPAWNews. It’s FREE. http://www.spawn.org. Join SPAWN! It’s $65/year. If you do nothing else this year, and if you are either planning to write a book, you are writing a book or you are a published author who is promoting a book, do yourself a HUGE favor and purchase my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html.
Don’t stop there—actually READ the book from cover to cover. You’ll be awfully glad you did.