UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion
Author Zone - Readers Welcome!
>
Before you self publish your book. Advice.
message 1:
by
Patti (baconater)
(new)
Sep 25, 2013 06:29PM
So, I thought this would be a great place for authors to share their 'wish I had's and readers to share their 'wish they would have's.
reply
|
flag
Self publishing Trouble at Toff Towers was a "first" for me and I have gone through a steep learning curve. I wish I had included a social media page giving details of the book's Facebook fan page; the Twitter handles of the heroine, her husband, her two ex husbands and her literary agent (all fictional) and the Toff Towers website. I should also have mentioned that the book is the first in the Toff Towers trilogy. Of course all this information is now "out there" in one place or another but not in the actual book. Needless to say it will all be included in books two and three.
AU x
I wish I'd known about GR and this wonderful group; still I'm here now :D
My advice for self-publishing: proof-read, proof-read, proof-read, proof-read, proof-read, proof-read, all proof-reading and no play makes Jack unhappy, proof-read, proof-read x 1000 to the power of ten x... etc etc :)The amount of times I've spotted a simple error in one of my books makes me want to scream.
Watch out for subtle differences such as here and hear, site and sight, bare and bear, etc etc
And when you've done that RMF, send the whole thing to an editor for more proofing. I've decided to self pub my children's fantasy ( mainly because I can't get anyone to take it) and after I've proofed it, Ignite was kind enough to BETA and proof it for me, it's now going to another editor for a last review before formatting work starts and I start getting quotes for a print run.
Sort out lots of pre-publication publicity - get ARCs out to blogs etc, even if it means delaying publication by a few weeks, because you only get 30 days of favourable visibility from Amazon, and you really need to make the most of it. Because once it's gone, it's gone.
Tim wrote: "Sort out lots of pre-publication publicity - get ARCs out to blogs etc, even if it means delaying publication by a few weeks, because you only get 30 days of favourable visibility from Amazon, and ..."Hello Tim...that's interesting. What does "30 days favourable visibility" mean and what are ARCs? Sorry to be dim!
AU x
It's the period when you appear in Amazon's New Releases lists, which means you book is vastly more discoverable than on day 31, when it's no longer in the list.ARC = Advance Review Copy. It's generally accepted that ARCs may have a few more typos/errors in them than the final release (kind of like galley proofs in trad publishing)
Anne, when you release an e-book, Amazon will list your book as a 'new release' for 30 days, with a little visibility. But only a very little...so you need to work on that.ARC = Advance Review Copy, usually sent out free of charge to reviewers/book review sites.
And charmingly, Amazon made my latest release live two weeks before we were ready - ie 2 weeks before the scheduled release date...catching us a bit on the hop
Will wrote: "Anne, when you release an e-book, Amazon will list your book as a 'new release' for 30 days, with a little visibility. But only a very little...so you need to work on that.ARC = Advance Review C..."
Thank you! All duly noted!
AU x
Will wrote: "And when you've done that RMF, send the whole thing to an editor for more proofing. I've decided to self pub my children's fantasy ( mainly because I can't get anyone to take it) and after I've pr..."Good advice. If I could afford an editor, I would hire one. As it is, I'm struggling to rub two pennies together!
They aren't expensive, RMF. why not talk to Ignite?Apart from the fact she's brilliant, she might make you an offer you can't refuse!
I wish I hadn't taken so long to write the next book. I released my first book on a wave of dreams, only to be brought back to reality. Writing is the only way to get better.
I'm with R.M.F. Please make the book enjoyable to read as well as the story.I managed about 5 page turns of a book recently and I couldn't take any more commas. (In my opinion) there were way, way too many.
I can't remember who it was, but I recently read someone saying "I've just finished writing the first draft of my second book and I might get around to fixing the typos in my first book sometime". If you don't fix the typos in the first book when you know about them, then you won't get the readers to even consider your second book.
Stalk any readers that give your books 4 or 5 stars and ask them if they'd like to beta read your next book.
Commas are my downfall.Whenever I've finished a chapter now, I do a *search and destroy*
Perhaps you should read the story out loud and where there's a comma do that Donkey mouth smacking noise ("are we there yet"). If it doesn't seem out of place, then the comma's OK
If you can't afford a real editor, at least get a bunch of beta readers and friends who can help you with things like awkward phrasing (or my own downfall, the extra long sentence.) :)Not only does this help you edit the book, but once it's out, you can ask some of your beta readers to post reviews. Those also help with your visibility.
Ignite doesn't charge. She just sidles up, fnar fnar! However, word gets around so people sometimes find themselves in a queue.
Now that is an offer no one in their right mind could refuse!Ignite has my personal recommendation for what she did on my children's stuff.
(So Joo can't blame the typos the pub. didn't fix in The Showing on her!)
Hehe, I get disappointed if I can't find a typo in a book :) There are a few out there, elusive in the wild.
I've noticed recently that several authors have regretted their initial choice of cover art.Blurbs also seem to be something that authors rethink.
Yes, of course editing is important.
THE AUTHOR WILL NEVER DO A PROPER JOB OF IT.
Yes, I just shouted.
You wrote it. You will always read what you think you wrote. Ask four friends to read it.
Ask a fifth friend.
If you haven't five friends who are willing to read your book, give up writing and rethink your lack of a social group. :)
As Patti has mentioned covers this is worth knowing for new authors. Once you have uploaded a cover here, you CANNOT delete or remove it.Worth bearing in mind. You can add a second cover, but not remove one that doesn't work or isn't up to the job
Arghhttp://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Don't ever ask for reviews from people you've not bothered to develop a relationship with. There are thousands of books out there. Why should we bother with your's?
It is difficult to be taken seriously by agents and publishers if your book has not been edited. My own offering had been read by a number of friends, and I still had it assessed as a story, and whether I could ‘write’, this included a certain amount of editing – the assessing etc was completed by a male. After all of his suggestions and alterations etc I had it edited properly (by a female) – I wanted input from both sexes.Finally I started to look for an agent or publisher in Australia, UK & USA – some were polite and replied to my e-mails, others replied with computerised auto replies and others did not reply at all. I only approached those who advertised that they were looking for new writers of historical fiction and wanted contact via e-mail. After 35 knock backs I decided to self publish, and contacted a number of ‘specialist’ publishers who wanted me to share the cost or just pay the whole cost. The rates quoted were from a couple of thousand dollars to over twenty two thousand dollars! (this was from a UK company). In the end I decided to DIY and had the manuscript made ‘print ready’, which means the file could be used by any book printer to produce the finished product. At that time Kindle was in its infancy and Createspace had not been started, so the alternative to the twenty-two thousand dollar man was to DIY.
My DIY project was eventually produced in the UK & USA as a paperback, and started to sell. The Kindle & Smashword editions started to sell.
It was the e-book version that was picked-up by a reputable UK publisher, and they offered to republish the book under a new title and a new cover, as a hardback. Cash support was never discussed.
They edited the book again and only altered a handful of points, and one of those was an historic change. This proved to me that professional editing is a must, and I know it can be expensive, but the editing shows in the reading of the book. I believe that the editing of my own book went a long way to influence the UK publisher to offer to republish.
Just as an aside – when I had the contract from the publisher I tried to get agents interested in representing me. I contacted agents in Australia & the UK - none wanted to know. perhaps it's me . . . :-o)
Will wrote: "They aren't expensive, RMF. why not talk to Ignite?Apart from the fact she's brilliant, she might make you an offer you can't refuse!"
That's what worries me! :)
Joo The Grand Inquisitor wrote: "I'm with R.M.F. Please make the book enjoyable to read as well as the story.I managed about 5 page turns of a book recently and I couldn't take any more commas. (In my opinion) there were way, w..."
I can forgive the odd error now and again (even famous books have errors) but the story should always take precedence in my view.
Patti (baconater) wrote: "I've noticed recently that several authors have regretted their initial choice of cover art.Blurbs also seem to be something that authors rethink.
Yes, of course editing is important.
THE AUT..."
What if you have no friends? What if you were an orphan who was raised in a cupboard under the stairs, or raised with monks on a remote Scottish island, monks who had taken a vow of silence and had no hands! :)
It's a fair point.
I think in that case it would be impressive enough that you had managed to write a story at all regardless of spelling and grammar.
And would not excuse you from a failure to hire an editor.
also, be prepared for trolls giving out 1 star reviews. Check this profile out:http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/21...
730 1 star reviews... Unfortunately I just been a victim of it today, must have annoyed someone somewhere!
The profile is private, Michael.
Editors are valuable and necessary indeed! Knowledgeable family and friends have edited my eBook The Stay-at-Home Dad's Quotes & Anecdotes. I cook for them in return! Bartering is alive and well these days.... Have a wonderful day :)
Yes, private but you can click on the average rating: 1.00
Sorry, didn't mean profile, just more the general check this suspect demon 1 star rater out.
Yes 100% one star ratings - why would you bother reading these books?
No wonder she's in hiding.No reviews either.
Blimey 730 1 star books. I'm wondering if this person doesn't understand the rating system and has put a 1 star next to all the books she's registered.There's a thread going on kuf http://www.kuforum.co.uk/kindleusersf...
where there's mention of a reviewer who loves to give 1 stars for bad typos even though she can't read more than 5% as they are so bad
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/cdp/member...
So again, check spelling first, second, third and again.
I want to move away from the techie bits for a minute. This isn't because they're not important, they're vitally important, and I'd say that if you cannot afford an editor, get your other half to buy you one for Christmas or something.Be inventive when people talk about Christmas and birthday presents.
But what I want to stress is that you need an online presence before the book is out. You want to spread yourself among the various on-line forums (I still think it should be fora) make friends on facebook and generally chat to people, join in the discussions, become part of it.
Obviously in some places you'll find you get no where but you'll find places you like to hang-out. Hopefully this will be one of them.
Then when your book appears you've got a lot of people who will be already interested.
Because I don't write mainstream fiction, it was nearly impossible to spark the interest of an agent, though a few were kind enough to offer me some personal feedback. So after years and years of rejection, I began to investigate going Indie and spent several years in research before pursuing it. I have no delusions about becoming a "best-seller", but what I wish I'd known before I published was just how hard it is to get anyone to part with a few dollars on a complete unknown. Advertising and promotion can only get you so far if you're not reaching the right people, and if your books aren't geared to any specific genre or age-group, it's difficult to know where to aim your efforts.
Ace thread this. I'm a self publisher as most folk on GR will know. I've been lucky enough that Ignite has purchased my books and then done some editing for me which is brilliant. Even now, years later, I still occasionally find a typo in a book. When I think of the number of people who read the drafts!What have I learned? Online presence. Crucial. Otherwise only your mum and your wife will buy a copy. Facebook author page, twitter page, blog can't hurt. Get on Goodreads, Kindleboards, Book Blogs etc. Do giveaways.
And be available on all formats. Kindle is easy enough, but what about Nook readers and all the other formats? Smashwords can help there although I sell very few that way.
Online press release sites generate traffic I find and they're free. Overall, link everything you do to everything else you do. Amazon links on your blog, Facebook to Twitter etc.
But as others have said, if the book's crap or just poorly put together you won't win in the long run.
I wish:1) I'd got someone else to do the blurb (by the time I've finished writing something, I pretty much hate everything about it, so I'm the last person who should be writing 50 words about why people ought to read it).
2) I'd charged more (I make about 25p a copy - almost 18 months after release, Something Nice has just about earned me a decent meal for 2 at my local Tandoori restaurant).
3) I'd promoted more (I regularly scorn the antics of spammy self-pubbed authors, right up to the point where I realise they've suddenly become a lot more successful than me).
4) I'd apologised less (I first self-published on Lulu in 2004 when self-publishing was still pretty much limited to vanity press dross. I came back for another crack in 2012 and everything had changed, but I still had those negative associations in my head, and everything about the promotion of Something Nice demonstrates that).
5) I'd set up my own publishing company. Because, just to contradict point 4, it does instantly make you look 70% more professional and, hey, I am a publisher, I could probably usefully start thinking about putting other people's work out...
Finding a supportive group on Goodreads is greatly beneficial and if you’re reading this thread you’ve probably already joined one. (Thanks for this Patty, it made me think about getting the other bits of the writing craft organised.)Before publishing, I’d have liked to have cured a significant disease, eradicated energy generation costs, designed draughtless train stations, won a World Championship, it doesn’t matter too much what in. All at the same time preferably.
Of the things that I am capable of doing, what I might have done would have been to write short stories for magazines and develop a following through those. Unfortunately, when I jumped into the writing profession I didn’t know about them.
Another naivety on my part is that I wrote for, in terms of market scale, a very small niche. My first novel, Ripples has a particular writing style and doesn’t make any attempt at being mainstream. The problem with a book that does not cater for a broad readership, and to a certain extent one that does, is that no matter the quality of the book, it’s very hard to tell the right people about it and to convince them to give your work a chance. That being the case it doesn’t matter how much you publish if you can’t connect with a readership. It’s especially hard when there are no comparable works with which to reference yourself. Writing for a small or inexistent niche is not bad, writing is an art and art is not a democracy, but it can be economically unviable if you were looking for a quick profession change.
I’ve been very lucky: My sales have grown dependably if somewhat erratically and I’m building a niche, which suggests that the magazine route is not necessary. However, I suspect the genre magazines could have made the connection with a readership much more quickly for me. Moreover, they are also a small source of income that on the basis of words far outstrip the first few months of novel sales.
Science Fiction and Fantasy writers are especially lucky in that they have several magazines in which to get published (advertise their style): Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, Asimov… If you are looking for a publisher, especially as houses that accept unsolicited submissions in these areas are few, this is also a way to get solicited.
With hindsight and doing it over this is how I would have done it:
1. Publish short stories in genre magazines
2. Have a greater online presence
3. Publish an anthology of character studies. Since I write these for the purposes of characterisation publishing them would not consume writing time. Also they would stimulate interest in the characters and stories containing those characters.
4 Write a novel involving some of the characters from the short stories and character sketches
5. Involve in the beta reading some of the amazing people met in my online participation
6. Have an editor work over the novel and find a cover artist
7. Do pre-release publicity
8. Prior to release, provide gift copies to all my fans with which I’m in correspondence. Concurrently, do advanced reader copies for reviewers, but only until the fan base is large enough to seed enough reviews on release. Talk with the fans about the blurb. (I didn’t talk with anyone about my blurb for Ripples, it was also the first blurb I’ve ever written and add on top of that the fact that I know my book inside out and how it fits into my fictional Universe, none of that necessarily interests a potential reader.
9. Coinciding with release, share the book with a review group.
10. Have a party for all the people who stood by me, offered me encouragement and gave me something to eat when I was starving. It rains a lot where I live so thirst shouldn’t be a problem
11. After a month or two following publication do a Q&A to a genre group. Use Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter, etc and publicise it well in advance
12. Publish more short stories
13. Reveal a few details, without spoilers, about the next books so that fans know where my writing is going and that I’m still breathing.
14. A second anthology of character sketches
…
Self-publishing is greatly liberating in terms of how non-formulaic and adventurous you can be, but it does require much more than simply the art of writing stories. I hope you’ll be more savvy than I was in that initial plunge. Fortuna smile upon you, I look forward to reading your works.
Adam, you are wonderful.What a great, well thought out post.
You've done a good thing. :) Thank you!
It's made me realise that I could never be a writer! I've always admired authors who have obviously put a lot of research into their topics, but thought they then went away and wrote their book..... I didn't think of all the above palaver. Authors have now just been elevated to a much higher place in my esteem!!
It's a good strategy, Adam, and I'd only make the small observation that publishing short stories in genre magazines is pretty challenging and murderously competitive. Possibly I'd add a 0.5 step: publish fanfiction stories or other short fiction on a blog to build a small amount of profile before gearing up to the professional submission level.I have a couple of short stories coming out in genre anthologies over the next few months, and I'm hoping to self-publish a second short story collection in time to leverage that mild exposure. While stage managing a musical, looking for a new job and courting a lady, of course. Never enough time...
Just to second Andrew and Adam, both good advice
I'd especially second the anthology advice. That can be great exposure.Plus, consider entering a lot of short story competitions. There's more than you would think around the place.
A few thoughts, whether they're wanted or not :)1) Yes, spamming can work, yes even rubbish books like 50 shades can sell millions of copies, but it's no ticket to success. Build up a fanbase. It takes time and patience.
2) Blogs. Some people say they're good, others, like me, can't be arsed with them and would rather write fiction than waste time blogging. It works for some people, though.
3) Diversify. I write anything, for most things, and so far I've done all right building up a portfolio of publications all over the web, and in print.
4) Plate spinning/fingers in pies: No, it's not as dubious as it sounds. Agents/competitions etc take weeks to get back to you. Don't pin all your hopes on one thing. Enter as many things as you can.
5) Professional: Nobody is perfect, but try hard to be professional (editing/cover etc) and you'll find it goes a long way.
6)This site: This site is like Stephen King's Misery. Likeable and friendly on the surface, but dig deep, and you'll find a group that'll never let you leave :)
Hmmmm....Who had the axe last?
Thanks for giving me some insight into the work involved in not only producing your books but also promoting and publishing them. It can be too easy as a reader to take all the effort for granted as we pour our coffee and relax into a fine book!I never forget however how blessed we are in this group to be able to interact with our authors and be on hand to offer support, encouragement and readership as they travel through their difficult journey.
PMSL! Axe, gag and rope coming up Patti!
