Whew! I’ve been busy this month and my blog is suffering. I know that some of you visit my publishing blog weekly and expect to see new entries. Somehow I’ve managed to post a new entry practically every week for a year and a half. That’s a lot of blogging.
I’ve blogged from Dubai, San Francisco and Wisconsin. I’ve blogged when it’s storming, when it’s unbearably hot, when I’m in a good mood and when I’m stressed. I’ve blogged when I’m fresh and alert and when I’m exhausted and I’ve tried to always share something of value to authors.
But this month, the time has slipped away as I’ve worked with my wonderful and talented clients, taught my online courses, cleaned up my yard after winter, planted a spring garden, kept up with my tasks as the pres. of SPAWN, helped out my 86-year-old mom, traveled (twice in April) AND I am also revising my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Yup, I’ll be coming out with a revised second edition this summer.
I’m blown away by the multitude of changes in the publishing industry since I wrote this book at the end of 2005. Publishers have gone out of business, they’ve changed their publishing focus, costs for copyright and other services have gone up, distributors have gone under, magazines have adopted new policies, there are some new opportunities for authors and some have gone away… I can see the value in producing ebooks and pursuing print on demand for books like mine so one can keep them up to date.
There are also some terms that I didn’t include in my first edition—such as platform. While the concept is there, I didn’t use the buzzword, platform, in the first edition. The publishing field is even more competitive than it was eighteen months ago, when I put the final touches on the first edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, so I am adding even more tips, techniques and ideas for the author as we approach the two thousand-teens.
Here’s your chance, my dear friends and colleagues, to be a part of the publishing community through participation in this popular book. Most of you have read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. What would you like to see me add, delete or expand on? Send me your requests this week: plfry620@yahoo.com. And don’t forget to visit my Web site. Why? Sign up for an online course. I’m pretty much teaching these courses on demand these days. Inevitably, there are people who don’t sign up on time and I’ll let them take the course on their schedule. Interesting concept.
Also at my site, you can buy any number of books—have you checked out my friend’s book, Johanna’s Journey? It’s a tear-jerker. You’ll find my story about inheriting four cats in this book—Johanna’s Journey. It’s a good read. I’ve also written a book featuring my trip to and the culture/history of Dubai (in the Middle East). At my site, you can read articles on a variety of subjects—mainly, of course, writing and publishing. And, if you’re seeking a publishing or writing resource, check out my large resource list. http://www.matilijapress.com
Happy Writing.