8 Tips that Will Get You Closer to ‘Published’
A psychologist friend once told me, “I’ve been thinking about writing a novel in my spare time.”
I said, “Interesting. I’ve been thinking about doing some counseling in my spare time.”
He said, “I didn’t know you were trained for that.”
Apparently one has to be trained for his profession, but not for mine.
Well, you and I both know better than that. One should never stop learning. So pat yourself on the back, you’re ahead of the game just by checking in here.
In five decades of writing, I’ve learned a few things that might boost your chances for success:
1. Have something to say
Boil your book’s message down to one sentence. As you write — then as you edit — that will keep you on point.
2. Know your reader
When I sit at the keyboard, I keep one reader in mind. Not a room full of people, but one person. I write to an individual, “you,” not “some of you,” or “those of you,” or “many of you.” “You.”
3. Say it simply
I never try to impress with my choice of words. Writers who show off their vocabularies are like girls using make-up for the first time. Less is more. Unless you’re a gifted literary stylist, let the power of your story speak for itself.
4. Practice your skills
I don’t say this just because I train writers. Fifty years since earning my first dollar for writing, I’m still polishing my skills. I belong to writers groups, subscribe to magazines for writers, and read every book I can find about the craft.
5. Polish your prose
Every writer needs an editor. At writers workshops I often condense the first pages of people’s stories by two-thirds. I do the same to my own work. Dare to cut, replace, and polish until every word counts.
6. Publish the right way
It’s never been easier to publish a book. But beware. Many companies prey on would-be authors, promising success in exchange for expensive packages. Before you invest, investigate. Know what you’re buying and how a company defines its promises, particularly in terms of quality editing, marketing, distribution, and sales.
7. Plan to sell your book
If you take the responsibilities of self-publishing, that includes your book’s sales and marketing. Here’s a link to a great article on this topic. Don’t wait to make these decisions until your copies are delivered.
8. Start small
To get copies of your book at an economical price, you no longer have to order hundreds of copies. Thanks to print-on-demand technology, you can now order just a handful of books, then order more as you need them. Paying less for inventory means you can invest your up-front dollars in editing and design, as well as in help with marketing.
This can be a great time to publish your first book —if you commit to doing it right.
Which of the above steps are you lacking? What can you do to change that?
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