We all know authors who are in denial about the requirements of the publishing industry, about their responsibilitie as a published author or even about their writing abilities. I find it a sad situation.
Here you have a potential author who says he is seriously serious about becoming successfully published, yet who won’t accept critique from fellow writers at his group and refuses to follow publishing protocol.
These would-be authors put a lot of energy into veering off the path and seeking ways to climb out of the box. Even before they totally understand the publishing game, they are trying to find ways to fast-forward, take shortcuts and bypass tradition.
I maintain that it is dangerous to go outside the box until you are quite familiar with what’s going on inside the box.
Do you know someone who won’t listen to reason, who rejects helpful critique, who seems to want to build new pathways to publishing success? Maybe this describes you. If so, how is it working for you?
Maybe you know someone who has defied the gravity of the publishing industry—who has experienced success with a nontraditional book project using unorthodox methods. But I can pretty much guarantee that this person (sure there are a few) either accidentally or very purposefully wrote something coherent, interesting, easy-to-read and understand for a particular audience. By design (or by mistake) he made correct decisions throughout the publishing process and he either inadvertently or purposefully is in promotion mode.
Most first-time authors find the process of writing and publishing a book daunting—overwhelming. Those who are open to learning, who know how to research, who are eager to do things the right way, who can put criticism and rejection in a healthy perspective, who have patience along with tenacity, have a much better chance at success.
Those of you who are already on the road to publishing, sometimes reach out for validation. You contact a professional in hopes of being told, “Your manuscript is amazing and you are making all of the correct decisions.” I love saying this to hopeful authors. It is not easy having to tell an author who is on the threshold of publishing that they are missing some important steps in the process or that their manuscript isn’t quite ready to publish, yet. It’s difficult because you know it is an unpopular message and not all hopeful authors can accept truths like this. No one wants to hear that they need to go back to the drawing board with a project they thought was ready. But I sure do admire those who can accept the truth and are willing to do the necessary work.
If you decide to contact a professional for advice consider the following:
• Don’t just ask for advice, listen to the experts you contact.
• Don’t reject their expertise, at least check it out.
• Instead of vetoing anything that you think might cause you any discomfort, consider it. A little extra effort or a tad of backtracking just might be the key to your eventual success.
Better yet, be prepared long before you decide to write a book for publication. Read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. It will save you time, energy and heartache.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Catscapades Update
The new shipment of books with the correct cover (no bold pink bar across the bottom) arrived yesterday! Promotion is now in full swing here at Matilija Press. Review copies will start going out this week, I’ll begin the process of guest blogging, speaking, attending book festivals, doing signings, writing articles, more frequent posting at my own blog site and so forth. If any of you subscribe to cat-related newsletters/magazines (or write for them), know of cat sites, are aware of book festivals being held in California this spring/summer/fall, or have other ideas for promoting Catscapades, True Cat Tales, please let me know: PLFry620@yahoo.com.
Visit my Catscapades blog often:
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades