Lorena Bathey's Blog, page 4

How do People Judge a Book by its Cover? Part 1

Several thick hardcover books stacked on top of each other (Photo credit: Horia Varlan)

Okay, so you’ve heard the adage, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’  In the world of judgments and assumptions I am in agreement, because you never really know who someone is no matter their demeanor.

However, in the world of publishing a cover is judged as to whether or not someone wants to pick it up and read it.

We are visual people and our eyes like what they like. Now the great thing is that there are billions of people out there and every one likes something different, so you never know if your cover will intrigue someone enough to read your work.

Your cover needs to have certain criteria to make it attractive to readers.  So you have some things to do before you just hire a graphic or cover designer to begin creating.

First step is to head to a book store. Go to the genre you write and look at the covers.  What do they look like? What colors are being used? What kind of font draws you in? Be a consumer and see which books attract you. Why do you like them?

These questions are hugely valuable and will absolutely allow you to commit to an idea which is the first impression a reader will get of your work. Covers in the book stores are what the publishing industry call ‘shelf-ready’. Meaning they can go onto shelves in any retail establishment.

As self-published authors there has always been as stigma about what our covers look like. They don’t have that shelf-ready look that readers are looking for. Because the truth of the matter is that if a cover looks expensive then the readers are more drawn to the title.

Once you’ve done your homework then you need to do some research on cover designers. There are many places in the internet where you can find cover designs. Find a designer that you like and email them and ask if they will design your cover.

We’ll discuss the process of getting your cover design made in the next installment of the post called Do Judge a Book by its Cover: More Than Just Flourishes and Fonts Part 2

Lorena Bathey

 

Is it Soup yet? How to know when your manuscript is ready to print?

Intentionally blank pages at the end of a book. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you self-publish it makes you the final decision maker. It also makes you the marketing person, sales force, CFO, and janitor.

That means you decide when your work is ready to go to print. So how do you get to that decision? When do you know your words are the best they are going to be?

We already spoke about using beta readers and professional editors. But you are the final say in your books debut, so here’s some tips on when to know it’s right:

1. You’ve incorporated the feedback into the work that your beta readers gave you. There were some tear-stained pages, but now you’ve got the kinks worked out.

2. You cleaned up the punctuation, commas, and general grammar of the work until it is easy to read, flows, and doesn’t have blinding errors by using a professional proofreader.

3. You let someone else you trust read it one last time and use a red pen generously. Ask them to make sure there is continuity with characters and plot lines.

4. You read the entire manuscript aloud. This is a very important step because reading the book aloud gives you perspective not only on grammatical errors, but on sentences that don’t work or characters that aren’t pulling their weight.

5. You know in your gut, it’s ready.

After following these five steps you should have a manuscript that is ready to print. But you’re not done yet. You have some other issues to pull together that are necessary for your book’s success.

The next step is cover design. Yes, even if you do only eBooks you must have a cover.

Next installment we’ll talk about, How People DO Judge a Book by its Cover.

Lorena

Right now on Goodreads you can enter to win one of five copies on their Giveaway program. Here’s the link to win your copy too. And please add me as a friend.  http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/59409-coaster

 

I Think I Might Self-Publish…Now What?

After the Edit (Photo credit: LMRitchie)

Deciding to self-publish should not be taken lightly. I know, I know…it’s easy to upload a file to Amazon and voila you’re a published author.

But it takes more than that.

Okay, so we covered that you have to write something. But let’s step back before you begin uploading. Back to your manuscript.

Self-publishing used to bring many more stigmas. Most people thought self-published works were badly written and not well edited. This might have been the case in the past, but now most authors who self-publish make sure their work is professional.

When you have a manuscript the first step is to let a few people, who you really trust to be honest, read it.  And here you have to grow a thick skin. If you ask for honesty, be ready to receive it. Remember what they tell you will make you a better writer because they are your target market – readers.

Once you’ve had people beta read it, get a professional editor. I mean a professional. Not your Aunt Grace who was really good at her Christmas letter. Hire someone who reads manuscripts for a livelihood with the intention to better the work. To find them you can go to sites like Writers Digest or try out writing forums to get feedback. (We’ll talk more about how to find them in the next installment)

Once you’ve done proofreading and editing, then you go back and rework your manuscript. Reading aloud is a great tactic to hearing and finding any errors you might have made.

This is the first step to creating a manuscript that you can send out into the world.

Next installment: Is it Soup Yet? How to Know Your Manuscript is ready to Print.

Lorena Bathey

How I Decided to Self-Publish.

Books to read (Photo credit: Phil Gyford)

Today there are so many writers able to get their words, thoughts, and stories out into the world because they haven’t had to wait for the world of agents and publishers to give them a stamp of approval.

Don’t get me wrong, I know many authors that follow the traditional route for publishing and are quite satisfied with the process.

I believe it takes a certain type of author to decide to self-publish. I am such an author. When my first book, Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother was finished I went to a writing conference and some very good interest in my book and story. But many of the agents said that memoirs about someone who isn’t famous wouldn’t sell.

But I knew the information was valuable and many women in similar circumstances as mine i.e., going through divorce, transition, trying to find themselves, needed this information now. So I made the decision to self-publish.

At that time fortune seemed to smile on me, or maybe fate and karma were in cahoots, but I found someone to help me on my self-publishing path and I never looked back.

It wasn’t easy. You need to have some finances behind you and be willing to spend money. When I started out there were not as many companies offering ways to publish as there is now. But you need to be careful where you put your dollars.

Don’t just hand over to cash to anyone who says they can get your book published and in the marketplace. Do your homework and ask around the writing world. There are plenty of forums where you can see if a company you’re considering working with is a good bet. These communities can be very helpful with basic questions for getting started. Make some new writing friends and help each other out.

Deciding to self-publish should not be a decision made on a whim. There is a lot of work entailed in being an Indie author. So make sure you are up to the task before getting started.

Next post…What is the first step to Self-Publishing?  Follow me at the link at the bottom of the blog to keep getting insights to the world of Self-Publishing.

Lorena

 

I Get Asked This A lot…

Words on a Page (Photo credit: Hanoian)

Here’s what happens most of the time when I meet new people.

Them: What do you do?

Me: I’m a novelist. I have my own self-publishing company.

Them: Really? I’ve always wanted to write a book.

Me: You should.

Them: How?

Me: Write.

That’s right. Write. It’s the first and integral part of the idea or process of writing a book. You have to write. Don’t worry about the proper punctuation, don’t worry about if it’s making sense, just get words to paper. All the other things can get worked out later.

But the sooner you write the words and let the creativity have it’s freedom, then the story will come.

So my first piece of advice for anyone that wants to write a book is the simplest one word answer.

Write

Lorena Bathey

Blah.

Thinking (Photo credit: Moyan_Brenn)

Ever have that time when you just don’t move as fast, think as sharply, or seem to be able to get anything done?

Why is this?

It’s very frustrating for those of us, like me, that are usually whirling dervishes of motion with twenty thoughts in our heads and more energy than is smart to have in one body. But when I get like this I am constantly thinking or saying, ‘What’s wrong with me?’

I think now that nothing is wrong with me. I believe in timing. Universal timing. Divine timing. Call it what you will. But when we have things to do sometimes that may be the exact time that everything slows down…like moving through molasses.

I think it’s in that time we have to have faith in our instincts. Let’s face it, we’re instinctual beings. So if our bodies, mind, and spirit are saying….take it easy, buster. We should probably listen.

So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to trust in the bigger picture. I’m going to relax and let myself be led because that feel right…even if its hard.

What would you do?

Lorena

Research Brings Insight

Chinese Chippendale railings on Monticello’s roof (topmost level) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As an author it becomes important to do research. Depending on the books you are writing, research can be an activity you do every day.

My first few books I didn’t have to research very much. They were written in current times and with knowledge I already had acquired. But the novels I am working on now both took research. I baby-stepped into the research pool with my Marilyn Monroe novel. And now I am diving into the deep end with the novel I’m working on about Thomas and Martha Jefferson.

Here’s what I’ve been learning from this endeavor:

1) I didn’t learn as much as I thought I did in school.

2) I am glad I wasn’t born in Colonial days.

3) I love sanitation services, garbage men, and the inventor of the grocery store.

4) The dynamic between men and women has changed SO dramatically.

These are just a few of my insights through researching my recent novel.

In Colonial times men and women really relied on each other. There wasn’t a competitive factor or ‘I don’t need you’ ideal behind their relationship. Men and women needed each other to survive. Perhaps that’s the key…survival. In colonial times survival was your first priority and so you learned early on that you couldn’t do it on your own. You needed others and especially you needed whomever you choose as your partner.

Interesting concept, huh? Working together instead of against each other? Where could that idea greatly help progress our lives and even our society?

Through this research I figured out that while I can’t change everyone, I can change me. I can look at things differently. I can work with others better. I can delegate to those who may be better qualified than me. I can’t do it all.

Research really works, doesn’t it?

Lorena Bathey

Author/Publisher

http://www.LorenaBBooks.com

Beauty in Petals

At the orchid show I couldn’t click fast enough. The beauty of nature is truly astounding. Don’t forget to look around and see where you see beauty. It doesn’t have to be the usual places. It can be in whatever strikes you and makes you pause.

Does Bravery still exist?

Bravery…what does this word mean? To me it means action in the face of fear. Like soldiers who are afraid to join into battle, but do so anyway. That is the highest pinnacle of bravery. Or mother’s that step in front of danger for their children. That’s bravery.

I am sad to see that bravery doesn’t show it’s face much today. Often times people are more afraid that they might upset someone or cause unwarranted attention that they forget to take a step forward and say or do something.

But the biggest tragedy of the loss of bravery is in your own life.

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to be a dancer, astronaut, race car driver, or cowboy. There were not limits. You truly thought you could do any, or maybe even all, of those jobs.

But as we grow up, face reality, and find ourselves responsible for bills and mortgages we also find that our bravery wanes and we end up doing what we think we should, rather than what we really want to do. What if that changed? What if you put bravery first and changed your life? What do you think would happen?

I made such a decision and decided to become a full-time novelist. Believe me I had plenty of people saying, ‘What the heck do you think you’re doing?’ But I had an equal number of people saying, ‘Good for you!’ Yes, it’s a risk being brave. Yes, things can go bad…but they can also go amazingly good.

So, if you’re life is not satisfiying and you feel like you’re on a gigantic treadmill, how about jumping off and trying something brave. Change your work maybe and do what you love. Or move somewhere new. Write that book. Take those pictures. Go on that trip.

This is it people…your life. You may be fearful to make change, but if you do it anyway then you’re living brave.

Lorena Bathey

Author/http://wwww.LorenaBBooks.com

I’ll be speaking on Bravery on a call this Saturday at 9 a.m. Find out more here…

http://www.meetup.com/DiabloValleyMasteryforWomen/events/103389582/

Remember Letters?

Letter from Caleb (Photo credit: kylesteed)

In this world of texting, email, and Facebook I miss letters. Don’t you?

Remember when you were kids and you would write notes in school. They’d be short questions of ‘where do you want to eat lunch today?’ or ‘Do you think Jimmy likes me?’ but they were words that we smiled over, laughed about, and sometimes cried over.

Then I remember my first love letters. I had a boyfriend in high school and he used to write me letters. Sometimes he’d just write the lyrics to our special songs, but even that made my heart flutter.

Words. They had such power and could change not only our emotions, but  the course of our lives. Who we loved. What college we got into. Did we get that interview.

Now I find that I text more than I write letters. There are short cuts like ‘u’ instead of ‘you’. Shorthand has replaced words like luxurious, penchant, and dichotomy. LOL is used in conversations. And the amount of Christmas cards I receive every year is dwindling.

I miss hand written letters with envelopes addressed by individuals I care about. Admit it, when you find a written letter in your mailbox, isn’t it the first thing you open?

Lorena Bathey

Author/Publisher

LorenaBBooks.com