K.C. Blaze's Blog, page 9

Author Royalties: Industry Standards vs. Self Publishing

I have been asked by many aspiring writers how much they should expect to be paid for writing urban fiction. However, this answer is not cut and dry. There are a few things that needs to be taken into consideration before answering properly. Your payout for traditional publishing will be different from the payout for self-publishing. Depending on which route you take your results or royalties will be different. This post is dedicated to explaining the differences or giving you an idea of the amount to be expected from book sales.

Traditional Publishing: Industry Standards

Most publishers use a basic standard of paying out royalties to its authors. The standard is 10% on books sold up to 5k to 10k sold. After that amount it goes to 15%. I must clarify it is not 10% or 15% on retail price. An author’s royalties are calculated after the cost of printing and producing the books. Which in a quick example would look like this

Retail Price: $9.99 – Printing $5.99= $4.00  Author royalties is 10% of $4.00 which is about $0.40 per book sold. If your book sells 10k copies you are looking at roughly $4,000 in royalties same model at 15% is $0.60 per book sold at $6,000 for 10k books sold.

This doesn’t appear to be much however, it can be beneficial if you and your publisher promote your work effectively. That model is looking at the industry standard but if your book becomes a best seller or sales more than 10k copies which is obviously your goal than you can do well.

Author Royalties: Self-Publishing

Real self-publishing requires the author to foot the upfront cost of publishing. If using a printing service you will receive a discounted rate for buying copies of your book in bulk. This is beneficial simply because you can order large quantities and sell them yourself to your audience. An example of royalties under the previous example goes as follows.

Retail Price $9.99 – Printing cost 4.99 (on order of 100 copies) = $5.00 author royalty is $5.00 per book sold. On sells of 10k total amount payable to author is $50,000. In this example there is no need for 10% or 15% calculations because the difference after printing goes to the author.

Which is Better Self-Publishing or Industry Standard?

Obviously looking at the numbers self-publishing would be the better financial choice however, there are some set backs. Using a publishing company allows the writer to just write without absorbing the heavy cost of publishing upfront. However, it is evident in the lower payout on the back in. While self-publishing will allow you to sell your work directly to consumers it requires a lot of marketing to spread the word. Authors who are not dedicated to marketing or doing hard sales may be intimidated with that form of marketing. So 10k sales may seem unreachable.

When it comes to royalties or choosing traditional over self-publishing my best advice is to be sure to select the best option for you in the long run. If you are to shy to market or do any heavy marketing self-publishing may not be the best option. However, if you are able to combine your marketing efforts to that of the publisher you may want to submit to a traditional publisher. They may have more reach and can get you in many doors.

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The Reality of a Writer!!!!

I recently had a conversation with a loved one who said there comes a time when you should put your dreams aside and start walking in reality. They debated the reality of working hard on a regular 9 to 5 and putting dreams on the back burner or worse turning them into hobbies. I fought back the growing desire to be offended especially since I am in my early 30′s and still working hard to see my ‘dream’ of being a well-known author become  a reality. This conversation led me to the question what is the reality of a writer?

In many cases writers spend years working on that one novel or story that may never make it to print or even on to paper. Many writers will also find themselves on the same boat with hundreds of thousands of others who write their book but receive rejection letters. Many authors will become discouraged after their book is put into print. Many authors will never see income from their works however, is this really the reality of a writer?

I put some thought into this and came up with my own theory. Writers who don’t plan on becoming book promoters will not have much to look forward to. If you only plan on writing a great story but not giving it your all in the marketing department than you will be a relatively unknown author. However, if you put into motion the necessary steps to succeed your work can make it.

I often think of how much effort and energy I put into my day job. How much money I have made them over the years and how confident I am with offering their customers products and services. However, I feel a bit timid when promoting my own work. I believe it’s because it’s a bit more personal and intimate sharing a part of yourself with the world. I also believe it’s because if the customer rejects my company’s offerings it doesn’t say anything about me. No one wants to have their work judged or rejected as it hurts deeper than any cut.

Dreaming as it relates to writing can’t be ignored or turned into a hobby as it often pours out of the natural writer like water from a faucet. There is never an age limit on when a dream can be fulfilled. J.K Rowling was 31 when her Harry Potter manuscript was accepted by Bloomsbury Press. A story she was working on for 6 years before it was finally picked up.

I can only imagine where she would be if she gave up on her dream even when her story was rejected repeatedly!!!!

Dreams are wonderful things and they are only as hard to reach as you are willing to extend your hand to grab them. I refuse to give up on mine and I only see my dreams as inevitable realities waiting for me to arrive.

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Free Urban Fiction Sample

It’s no secret my debut urban fiction novel Platinum Dust (Part One) has been released but I have been receiving messages asking me if I would be willing to make a few chapters available to the public. I give a lot of advice on Urban Fiction especially on writing and marketing and so I thought I would allow the public to give me some feedback. I am open to all comments, suggestions, reviews and opinions on my baby (Platinum Dust) If you are up for it please feel free to visit the link below and let me know what you think!!!!!!! Happy reading everyone and remember to Follow for more Urban Fiction News, Reviews and Resources

 

http://www.freado.com/read/15744/platinum-dust-part-one

How To Write Steamy Love Scenes

I decided to breach this subject after reading a few stories that attempted to capture the essence of love-making in their writing. Many have failed and many have caused my temperature to rise. There is an art to writing a steamy love scene in your novel that will make your readers thirsty for more. Here is my take on it.

Love Making vs. Sex

Many romance novels try to capture love-making in the story line and it’s always “passionate” however, urban fiction tales are usually graphic displays of sex and both can be great if done correctly. When I read love scenes right away I notice two things; first I notice if the writer is uncomfortable with the subject matter and second I notice if they are being graphic for graphics sake. Both are turn off’s in my book. My philosophy is “If you’re going to breach the subject go all IN” There is a big difference between the two and capturing the right mood in your writing is important if you want to relay the message accurately.

In order to capture it properly you must first know your characters. Each of your characters should feel like living, breathing people to you their creator. When you know your character you know their love-making style and what type of lover they are. This all plays into how you craft their love scene and what emotion it will produce in its reader. If your characters are in love its hotter when you make their love-making sensual versus raunchy (unless they are trying something new) If your characters are players or bad boys with an allergy to committment it is best that you create sex scenes that reflect that. This will help if he eventually falls in love and the reader will notice the difference in his love-making.

Do’s and Don’t's of Love Scenes

Don’t: Please don’t be shy about writing in detail. This shows and its annoying for the reader. Good writers can work their story up to a steamy love scene and don’t deliver an expected love scene. While Great writers can lead you up to a love scene and into your bedroom.

Don’t: Please don’t be explicit unless the scene calls for it. Explicit details are not necessary when characters are ‘making love’  If your characters are in love and the opportunity arises for them to show it paint the picture of love with less vulgar word choices.

Don’t: Please don’t write with the dreaded ‘and then’ ‘and then’ ‘and then.’ This should be avoided like the plague. There is nothing worse and I do mean nothing more horrible than reading a sequence of actions rather than a fluid telling of events.

Don’t: Please don’t breach the subject if it makes you uncomfortable. All stories don’t have to have a love scene so never feel like you have to. Readers can pick up on an awkward love scene because your tone changes and you use weird descriptions that don’t flow.

Do: Please do paint a picture with your words. I personally enjoy love scenes that provoke the feeling of love. If its pure love or “true love” or a soul mate kind of love than it is best to focus on that.

Do: Please do listen to love songs for motivation. This always helps me when writing love scenes and or sex scenes. Music serves a good purpose in writing as it create a mood that you can draw upon. If your love scene is a bit more raunchy or explicit you may want to find a song that will put you in the right head space.

Do: Please do remember you are still writing a story. I can’t tell you how many writers lose their voice during love scenes like the love scene is separate from the rest of the story. Remember your voice and stay consistent throughout. Don’t take your characters out of ‘character’ so to speak.

I hope this was helpful and I am always open for comments. If you enjoyed my posts please like

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Book Review: Fourteen Pages by James Fant

We all know that divorce can be a messy situation and author James Fant has managed to take the messy blows of a marriage in the midst of a storm and document the process beautifully. Marco and Venice Goldsmith are newly weds who finds out how hard marriage really can be. With the honeymoon phase clearly miles away from the wedding the chapel they find themselves coming to blows more and more frequently.

Just when divorce seems inevitable and the only option to a tumultuous marriage they meet a counselor offering an unexpected solution. A 14 page contract that may be just what the young couple needs to stay married.

What I loved about the story is how eloquent the tone was. The author managed to engage me by painting a picture of total dispair and then victory from the imminece of separation. I felt the hurt Marco felt when he heard the words ‘I hate you’ spill from his once happy bride. I would give this read a 4 out of 5 stars. The only critique would be the accessive amount of times they use the characters name throughout the story and how they explained any slang they used or gave the definitions of some of the words used. Other than that the story is a great read and readers of a good story that flows then give Fourteen Pages a try. It is available by following the link

http://www.amazon.com/Fourteen-Pages-ebook/dp/B00CAC07LS

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Urban Fiction vs Urban Fantasy!

True to my nature I wanted to clear up some of the confusion that I have noticed surfacing in the literary world. It’s a bit simple may be even trivial but I feel its necessary. Many writers, reviewers and readers of both Urban Fiction and Urban Fantasy are becoming confused. They are two different genres but are frequently appearing in similar circles. I review books of both genres because a good book is a good book however, I primarily focus on urban fiction.

Similarities Between Urban Fiction & Urban Fantasy

Like the name suggests urban fiction and urban fantasy both are written in an urban setting. The tales are spun using a city or underground setting. It doesn’t have to be in a ‘ghetto’ or slum background but usually within the inner city where crime, violence or drugs are prominent features in the environment. For the story to be considered ‘urban’ this must be expressed throughout the story or in the beginning of the tale.

Differences Between Urban Fiction & Urban Fantasy

The major difference between the two starts at where the story leads. Urban Fiction usually leads its readers through a sticky web of deceit, affairs and over the top drama. While urban fantasy leads its readers through an urban setting toward a supernatural experience. That may mean vampires/werewolves/superheroes/other galaxies and such. Another difference includes is the language used throughout the story. Urban fiction uses lots of slang or ‘street talk’ as well as over the top profanity while urban fantasy can be a bit more toned down.

Book Submissions

Knowing the correct genre will help you reach  your target audience more effectively. Granted you may reach a reader who is into one genre and have them cross over after reading your work but it’s not the norm. Urban Fantasy is on the rise due to such series as Harry Potter and the Twilight series. Urban Fiction is also on the rise from such authors as Zane and Wahida Clark. No the difference so you submit your work to the appropriate publishing companies, reviewers and book clubs. That can make or break the success of your book

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Urban Fiction Writing Contest Winner

I have  a special treat for everyone. I was able to interview the Urban Fiction writing contest winner Chanelle McAllister, her winning story Vixen won me over with great attention to detail and a storyline had me at hello. Hopefully everyone will enjoy it as much as I have. Please read her Interview below and an excerpt of her story with a link to my tumblr page for the rest of the story.

Interview with Chanelle McAllister

Q: When did you discover you had a gift for writing?

I discovered my gift for writing when I was in the fifth grade, but I didn’t begin writing seriously until I got to middle school. I wrote a story about a group of teenage friends. I went back and read it, it was pretty terrible, but the whole eighth grade class loved it. It was being passed all around. It seriously was like the talk of the eighth grade at one point. Everyone would come up to me and ask, “Did you write anything new?”, “Did you bring the book today?”, it was a great feeling, and by time I got to high school, I was like that’s it, I don’t care, I’m going to write for the rest of my life. I wanna be an author, I wanna have million of books, I just want to write. I love writing, everything from coming up with characters, their stories, dialogues, everything. I’m always looking for my next idea, that’s like all I think about.

Q: Is Urban Fiction your favorite genre or the genre you are most comfortable writing in?

It is definitely one of my genres to read and write, but I don’t want to write urban fiction all the time. I would like to step out of my comfort zone sometimes and tell different kinds of stories, not just ones about urban life.

Q: Is there a process for character development or do you develop your ideas and wrap your characters around the idea?

Usually, the character comes first, their name, the way they look, etc., and then I come up with their story. For example, when I came up with Star from Vixen, I was watching a movie on BET called Video Girl, and I thought, I should write a story about a video vixen, then I thought about how I wanted her to be this free spirited person, who didn’t listen to people, and didn’t want to be what others wanted her to be. Her whole mental disorder, I’m not sure where that came from, but I just went with it. That works sometimes too, just letting the idea come to me as I write.

Q: Who is your favorite Urban Fiction Writer?

My favorites are Noire, Wahida Clark, and I love, love, love T. Styles.

Q: Where do you plan on taking your writing career?

I want to one day become a bestselling author, and I would also like to start my own publishing company.

Q: Are there any new books in the works?

Yes! I am actually close to completing my first novel. It is currently untitled, but hopefully by the time I’m done typing it, something catchy will have come to mind.

 

Sample of Vixen by Chanelle McAllister

I never listened to what people told me to do. A true insubordinate, a rebel without a cause, the two phrases summed me up perfectly. If a label said, “Caution: hot”, I’d gently press my fingers against the object, just to see how hot it actually was. If a sign said, “road work ahead”, instead of detouring, I’d drive my car down the street, just to see exactly what they were doing. The idea of being told what to do never sat well with me. My teachers, my friends, my parents, I didn’t care who it was; nobody was going to tell Star Hayes what to do. I was my own person, I had my own mind and I could make my own decisions. Whether people thought they were good decisions or not, that shit didn’t concern me. I had my own life to live, and so did they, which meant they had no business meddling in my business. My dad tried to tell me what to do, constantly. He was a perfectionist and everything had to be his way or the highway. His controlling ways were the reason we barely got along now. I was his oldest child, and before I was even born, he already had my life planned out. I would breeze through elementary, middle, and high school getting nothing but straight A’s, and after that, I would attend an Ivy League college graduating Summa Cum Laude. After college, he imagined me working some nine to five, making six figures or something like that. HMPH! The devil was a got damn liar! That fairytale was some bullshit and I crushed my dad’s dreams as soon as I got to high school. For what it’s worth, elementary and middle did go according to his plans. I loved school back then and nothing pleased me more than running home to show my parents a report card full of good grades. By time I got to high school, all that went right out the window. School was draining. It did nothing but trap me for 8 hours a day and contain my creative freedom with rules. School wasn’t for a girl like me. I needed to express myself when I felt like it. I needed to be able to wear what I wanted to wear, say what I wanted to say, be who I wanted to be. Needless to say, I didn’t go to any Ivy League college. Hell, I barely made it out of high school. Now before all of you start judging me, listen to this. I am a very smart girl, but my talent is not in academics, it’s in making art. Yup, I’m one of those girls.  I was too creative to be bound by homework, and deadlines, and nine to five’s. That shit was for bitches with no character, no personality, and no sense of imagination. I had all three and lots of each. I needed to seen, and not by some old ass lady, or a college graduate, who sat in front of me at an office cubicle. I needed to seen, wanted, and adored by millions. I wanted to be star and I had every right to wanna be just that. I mean, that’s what my mama named me, what the hell did they expect? Star Hayes wasn’t fit for the Ivy League, or an office job, or being average. Shit, average people wanted to remain average, so they wouldn’t get bothered. I wanted people to bother me all day long.

***

“Star, why do you strip?” Kay asked, as I cracked four eggs in a bowl and stirred them together. She was my best friend and just as square as she wanted to be. I guess you could say we were best friends by force and not by choice. Our moms were lifelong friends that got pregnant at the same time and popped us out two weeks apart. If that wouldn’t have happened, I’d hate to say it, but we probably wouldn’t be friends right now. Kay and I were the total opposite of one another. We often bumped heads over the pettiest little things. She didn’t understand my way of life and I loathed hers. Kay often tried to see life from my point of view, whereas I could less about her point. I rolled my eyes and contemplated if I should even answer her. We had this conversation at least three times a month, and at this point, I was sick of the shit. It was like she was expecting my answer to change.

“Kay, must we go through this every time you come over here?” I asked. “My answer is not going to change.” I thought if I made that clear she’d finally drop the issue.

“I know, but I just don’t understand.” She started, “I mean, you have—“

“’Stop trying to understand,” I cut her off, as I moved our eggs around in the pan. She ignored my blatant attempt at trying to avoid the conversation and continued talking anyway.

“You don’t have to strip. You come from a good home; your parents have money, and everything. I mean, it’s not like you’re stripping to feed a child, or put to yourself through school. You just do it for no reason.”

These are times I hated her. She always had to make sense of things. She was right though, I didn’t have to strip. I did it to prove a point. After high school, I tried to reason with my Daddy. I told him I’d go to college under one condition, if I could study dance. When I told him that, he looked at me like I had a third eye in the middle of my forehead and told me absolutely not. “No child of mine will go to school for dance! It’s a waste of time and my damn money!” That’s what he told me. I asked why they let me take ballet classes, if I couldn’t pursue a career in dance and he laughed in my face. He told me that dance was hobby and there was no money in it. I showed his ass. I made more than enough money dancing at KOD. Stripping kept my lights on, my car note paid, and designers in my closet, so I be damned if dancing was a waste of time. Dancing was more than a hobby to me, it was my creative outlet. Sure, it wasn’t modern dance or ballet, and it involved me getting naked for horny strangers, but eventually, it was going to take me places. I didn’t give a damn what daddy dearest said.

I sighed. “I strip because I want to. It’s my decision and my life, and I really wish you and Car would stop trying to get me to stop. I’ll stop when I’m ready.” Car, short for Carmen, was my little sister. She was eighteen years old and had just started college at Penn State. Carmen was perfect. She was the daughter my parents wished I would’ve been. Like Kay, Carmen couldn’t comprehend why I did things I did. But how could they comprehend? They were nothing like me. I was a free spirit and they were boring as hell.

Kay shrugged. “Hmm, I think you want to be defiant. You were always like that. I was hoping you’d grow out of it.”

“You can’t grow out of personality Kay,” I said. “Just leave me alone.” I removed the eggs from the stove and put an equal amount on separate plates. Stirring the pancake batter, I suddenly became excited. Million of thoughts raced through my mind, like a pack of cheetahs running free in the wild. Thoughts of my rise to fame danced around, bringing the biggest smile to my face.

“You really wanna know why I strip!? I strip because I know it’s going to lead to something bigger for me. I know one day someone will walk into that club, meet me, put me in a video, and after that, you won’t be able to walk three steps without seeing me on a magazine.” I stood there grinning from ear to ear, thinking of the day when I’d finally be famous. Nothing made me happier. Thoughts of fame kept me going. I had something to prove, and even though my grind hadn’t paid off in the three years I had been stripping, I knew my time was coming. Kay let out the loudest laugh, snapping me out of my daydream.

 

Please follow the link to my tumblr page http://www.tumblr.com/blog/kcbaylor to continue reading.  You can reach Chanelle McAllister for questions, interviews or to follow her writing by visiting her at  twitter @Nellzsunshine, or email chanellemca@yahoo.com, nellieboo09@yahoo.com

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Cool Banners for Book Promotion

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I recently discovered a cool banner site called mybannermaker.com that helps you create cool banners. The site allows you to customize your banner by choosing from muliple sizes, colors, texts and even where you want them posted.

I thought I would share with you my unprofessional attempt at banner making. mybannermaker.com also allows you to upload an image if you have one in mind. it is good for marketing your fiction titles and can also help when trying to advertise on other websites as well.

How To Write a Synopsis?

I wanted to share with everyone the importance of a synopsis. I hope to explain what it is, what purpose it serves and how it can make or break your opportunities to be picked up by a publisher. We all feel we know how to write a compelling storyline, to engage our readers with lively characters and that our stories deserve to be seen by the masses but that may not be possible if this one important step is not done correctly.

What is a Synopsis? 

A synopsis in the simplest terms is a summary of your story. It needs to give the beginning, middle and ending of the complete story. A synopsis is not intended for you to give the long version of events that took place in each part of your plot. It needs to be one page ONLY! It is also the representation of your work and usually a door opener or closer into the world of publishing. It needs to capture your audience (publishing company) in one page and give away the ending. Many writers are leary about giving away the ending or think if they withhold the ending it will entice the publisher to take a chance. It actually does the opposite and shows that you are an amateur. Avoid that mistake like the plague.

Why Do You Need a Synopsis?

Your synopsis is your first impression, it’s the first thing a potential publisher sees to determine if they want to read the rest of your manuscript. You only have one shot to hook them and your synopsis is the bait. Take some time to craft your synopsis and be sure it has the beginning, the middle and the end of the story. It should flow and tell the reader enough about the story to help them make a decision. Avoid giving your personal opinion, for example: “I think this part is great when the characters confront each other” It should be done as a review which means an overview of the story or a narrative.

Synopsis: A Make or Break?

How can a poorly done or no synopsis make or break you, you ask? Well to be quite frank most publishers are bombarded with thousands of manuscripts per day. They unfortunately don’t have the time to read tons of unsolicited work so they use a synopsis to help filter their submissions. It is also used as a means to determine if they want to read more. If your synopsis doesn’t capture them before the end you can bet it reaches the slush pile of discarded work. If you don’t have a synopsis its like coming to a network party without business cards. If your synopsis is poorly done it will stop you at the door. You’ll hear the music but won’t be invited in.

For a few samples of winning synopsis’ visit the link below.

http://www.charlottedillon.com/SynopsisSamples.html

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Top 4 Up and Coming Urban Fiction Publishers

If you are interested in writing an urban fiction book or if you have already finished writing your masterpiece you may want to take a look at these urban fiction publishers. The big boys in the urban fiction publishing game are Triple Crown Publications, The Cartel Publications and W. Clark Publishing but there are many publishing houses breaking into the game and creating best-selling authors. I’ve created a listing of the top five new urban fiction publishers that new writers may find literary success with. Remember to follow submission guidelines to a T if you want your work to be seen and not tossed to the garbage pile. Create a compelling synopsis also and if you don’t know what or how to write a synopsis follow my blog for an upcoming post showing you how. Thanks again.

Delphine Publications

Delphine publications is a five-year old urban fiction publishing company started by Tamika Newhouse. It has produced numerous award-winning best sellers including Ms. Newhouse herself. Though its only five years old it already has a long roster of authors and recently released urban fiction titles for 2013. They are currently accepting submissions but only deal primarily with urban fiction titles. Follow the submission guidelines carefully and make sure your work is polished when submitting if you want to be taken seriously. Follow the link for their submission guidelines.  http://delphinepublications.com/home/submissions.html

Le’ Femme Fatale’ Publishing

Le’ Femme Fatale’ Publishing was started by an award-winning business owner Michele Cameron-Fletcher. She has won Essence magazine’s best-selling author awards for her title ‘Charge it to the game’  Talks of the novel becoming a movie is currently in the works with Nicki Minaj as the leading character. They are also accepting submissions and have simple submission guidelines. Visiting the link below will allow you to read the instructions to give your book a chance at publication.

http://www.lffpublishing.com/index.php/become-an-author

Voices Books and Publishing

Voices Books and Publishing is founded by Brenda Hampton. She like most fiction writers started her own publishing company producing authors that were eventually picked up by larger traditional publishing houses. That is a big deal especially if you are looking to get your foot in the door. This publishing house accepts manuscripts for all types of African-American literature so don’t be shy if you aren’t an urban fiction writer. What I like this company also is that it has a down home feel to the website. for submission information you must send your manuscript. Follow the link for their guidelines.

http://voicesbooks.homestead.com/Submission.html

Life Changing Books

I mentioned this publishing company in a previous post but thought they were worth another mention. It is a ten-year old company that has already made its mark in the urban fiction game. Many of this company’s authors go on to become best-selling authors. It is owned by Azazel an author whose claim to fame was with their debut urban fiction tale ‘A Life to Remember’  They are currently accepting submissions and provide their guidelines on their site. You can get a feel for the type of work they accept by browsing through their bookstore. Bring your A game when you submit your work.

http://www.lcbllc.net/#!__submissions

 

Now that you have the top 4 up and coming urban fiction publishing houses be sure to read over their submission guidelines. Following instructions are a great way to start out on the right foot and show that you are not an amateur. If you have liked what you read please remember to like my posts.

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