Ask the Author: Ron Scheer
Answered Questions (8)
Ron Scheer
Sorry no I’ve never even been to PA
Ron Scheer
The easy answer to what to do to be an author, is WRITE. but that doesn't help at all does it?
I'm assuming that you're looking at this as if it were a career. There is no easy path to becoming a writer. There are classes you can take to further your understanding of the writing process. (I took some, and I'd highly recommend them if your serious) But ultimately, if you want to be paid for your work, you've got to be willing to edit. The worst mistake any writer can make is to think what they've written is "good enough" to get published. It never is. It might be good enough to be accepted, but I promise you, an editor can and will find a way to make it better. Editors make money on your work, so when they suggest a change, and they will, listen to them.
so now your asking me: How do I get my book in an editors hands/how do get my book published?
That's the hardest thing to do in writing. You may have spent months, maybe years, writing your book, and now you feel like the only way you can get someone to look at it is to kidnap a publisher and starve them until they agree to read what you wrote. (please don't do that)
There are publishing agents out there that you can contact to promote your work, they are just as hard to convince as publishers, but don't give up.
Also there are a few publishers who still look at unsolicited manuscripts (no agent) These are usually smaller houses, (like mine) but that doesn't mean they aren't credible.
Whether submitting to an agent or a publisher always follow the submission guidelines to the letter. (Actually, I've found that most submission guidelines a very similar so once you've done one, it only requires minimal changes to do another)
hope this answers your question, but if not feel free to ask me a more detailed question. I'll help if I can.
I'm assuming that you're looking at this as if it were a career. There is no easy path to becoming a writer. There are classes you can take to further your understanding of the writing process. (I took some, and I'd highly recommend them if your serious) But ultimately, if you want to be paid for your work, you've got to be willing to edit. The worst mistake any writer can make is to think what they've written is "good enough" to get published. It never is. It might be good enough to be accepted, but I promise you, an editor can and will find a way to make it better. Editors make money on your work, so when they suggest a change, and they will, listen to them.
so now your asking me: How do I get my book in an editors hands/how do get my book published?
That's the hardest thing to do in writing. You may have spent months, maybe years, writing your book, and now you feel like the only way you can get someone to look at it is to kidnap a publisher and starve them until they agree to read what you wrote. (please don't do that)
There are publishing agents out there that you can contact to promote your work, they are just as hard to convince as publishers, but don't give up.
Also there are a few publishers who still look at unsolicited manuscripts (no agent) These are usually smaller houses, (like mine) but that doesn't mean they aren't credible.
Whether submitting to an agent or a publisher always follow the submission guidelines to the letter. (Actually, I've found that most submission guidelines a very similar so once you've done one, it only requires minimal changes to do another)
hope this answers your question, but if not feel free to ask me a more detailed question. I'll help if I can.
Ron Scheer
ok, this is the third time I've tried to answer this question. For some reason I keep getting logged out.
so, some writing tips.
be concise. don't write "John could see...." instead write "John saw..."
avoid repeating words. if your talking about a window don't keep writing window use synonyms like opening, or portal
Don't write in first person, and in third person in the same novel. pick one and stick to it.
There are words you should use sparingly, Like "just, and very. also, try and keep the adverbs to a minimum.
Learn and understand the difference between showing and telling
here's and example
Telling: John wrecked his car.
Showing: A blue sedan rounded the corner in front of them. There wasn't time to do anything but hit the brakes. To late.... The screech of tires suddenly changed into the tortured scream of twisted metal....
showing will always use more words than telling.
that's all for now, but maybe another time I'll post a few more
so, some writing tips.
be concise. don't write "John could see...." instead write "John saw..."
avoid repeating words. if your talking about a window don't keep writing window use synonyms like opening, or portal
Don't write in first person, and in third person in the same novel. pick one and stick to it.
There are words you should use sparingly, Like "just, and very. also, try and keep the adverbs to a minimum.
Learn and understand the difference between showing and telling
here's and example
Telling: John wrecked his car.
Showing: A blue sedan rounded the corner in front of them. There wasn't time to do anything but hit the brakes. To late.... The screech of tires suddenly changed into the tortured scream of twisted metal....
showing will always use more words than telling.
that's all for now, but maybe another time I'll post a few more
Ron Scheer
Actually sending in a manuscript for submission to a publisher should only cost you postage. If a request is made for payment, this is either self-publishing, or a scam. Actual publishers don't charge to view manuscripts. HOWEVER, this is a double edged sword. The big name publisher won't even look at a manuscript that isn't represented by a publishing agent. And it's just as hard to get an agent as it is to get published. In fact, from what I understand, it's pretty much the same process. (I don't have an agent) There are smaller publisher out there, like mine, Museitup that don't require an agent, but there's almost always a tradeoff of some kind. In my case my publisher doesn't have a promotion budget for their books. So I'm forced to self-promote. It's a good tradeoff for a new writer because It doesn't matter if your published from one of the big name houses, or one of the small ones, published is published. (This isn't true for self-published authors-sorry)
So what's the difference between published and self published?
If you're published, the publisher pays for everything from the editing to the cover and everything in between. The author may or may not get an advance depending on the contract, but will certainly get royalties on whatever amount of books are sold.
A self-published author pays for everything, but collects all proceeds after the costs to the seller have been paid (i.e. amazon, barnes and nobles self publishing site, I think it's called pubit, or somethingl like that)
hope this helps
So what's the difference between published and self published?
If you're published, the publisher pays for everything from the editing to the cover and everything in between. The author may or may not get an advance depending on the contract, but will certainly get royalties on whatever amount of books are sold.
A self-published author pays for everything, but collects all proceeds after the costs to the seller have been paid (i.e. amazon, barnes and nobles self publishing site, I think it's called pubit, or somethingl like that)
hope this helps
Ron Scheer
The geography occurred as a combination of two towns. One I live in and one that's about fifteen miles away.
The firearms question is interesting. There are several instances in the story where guns are displayed without shot being fired. I did this because I thought that after 30 years there would be a very limited supply of ammo. Even in the Midwest where it's not uncommon for gun owners to horde munitions, they still have to eat, and nothing brings game down faster than a well aimed bullet.
The firearms question is interesting. There are several instances in the story where guns are displayed without shot being fired. I did this because I thought that after 30 years there would be a very limited supply of ammo. Even in the Midwest where it's not uncommon for gun owners to horde munitions, they still have to eat, and nothing brings game down faster than a well aimed bullet.
Ron Scheer
Sorry, as far as I know I don't know them. Though it's entirely possible I cheered with them in the stadium.
Ron Scheer
1. patience. It took me four years from inception to publication. I'm told that's actually quick. From what I understand its usually 5-7 years.
2. Editing, Editing, Editing. The original submission for THE FORAGER was 96,000 plus words. That's after the three of four edits I did myself. The final published book is around 76,500. You do the math. Don't be afraid to cut even if its your favorite line in the whole book. If I doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.
2. Editing, Editing, Editing. The original submission for THE FORAGER was 96,000 plus words. That's after the three of four edits I did myself. The final published book is around 76,500. You do the math. Don't be afraid to cut even if its your favorite line in the whole book. If I doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.
Ron Scheer
The best thing about being a writer is getting to meet all the people that love my book. It's extremely satisfying for me to know that my novel gave someone a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
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Jun 06, 2018 10:19AM · flag