THE Group for Authors! discussion
The Craft
>
How do you get your work out to the world?
date
newest »
newest »
Dennis wrote: "Well, it has been a busy and eventful couple of weeks since my last entry into this series. Nevertheless, I promised to briefly discuss how you get your words out to the world! Needless to say, thi..."There does not appear to be the option but I just wanted to 'Like' your post. Thorough and informative. Thank you for taking the time to wright and share this.
Dennis wrote: "Well, it has been a busy and eventful couple of weeks since my last entry into this series. Nevertheless, I promised to briefly discuss how you get your words out to the world! Needless to say, thi..."Dennis, I'd also like to thank you for the invaluable information. A friend on facebook asked me why I was going through a self-publishing company when I could actually self-publish and save money to be used on promotion. He said we could meet for lunch. I invited him and asked him when, then never heard from him. Do you have any advice on that issue? Thanks so much.
Some good explanations, resources and cautions at http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/f...Don't hesitate to ask questions on retail sites you might list your book for sale (Amazon.com, indie bound, diesel, etc.) and peruse their help screens and FAQs for authors. Such as Amazon's self-publishing intro at http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-accou...
Some free tutorials (granted from Smashwords who also offers some ebook publishing services and distributions so not necessarily 100% unbiased but they are free): http://blog.smashwords.com/2013/10/sm... -- described as:
"Smashwords Ebook Publishing Workshops on YoutubeMight also be useful to scroll down to the section "Great Resources to Help You Publish Like a Pro" at https://www.smashwords.com/about/how_...
I've posted a series of five ebook publishing workshops at Youtube. Each is embedded below.
Whether you're considering publishing an ebook for the first time, or you're already an ebook publishing veteran, I hope you enjoy these workshops and learn new ideas that will help you publish with greater ease, confidence and success.
In total, they run eight hours. It's like an all-day digital publishing seminar you can attend at your leisure. Although the videos can be watched (or listened to) in any order, if you're new to ebook publishing, then start with #1 since it explains foundational information that will make the other videos more useful to you.
The ebook publishing workshop series includes:
#1 - An Introduction to Ebook Publishing (a primer and e-publishing checklist)
#2 - The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success (best practices secrets for reaching more readers)
#3 - Smashwords Survey Helps Authors Sell More Books (pricing strategy and fun metrics)
#4 - 10 Trends Driving the Future of Authorship (indie authors are the future of publishing!)
#5 - How to Reach More Readers at Apple iBooks (merchandising secrets to grow sales!)
#6 - How to Add Navigation to Smashwords Ebooks (create a linked Table of Contents and NCX "
And stick a pin in a few tiny pieces of advice from a non-author whose heard a bit for closer to publication:
• if you do wind up using Amazon's createspace to print hardcopies, consider opting into the free "expanded distribution.". It's just a checkbox but you retain rights to your books (amazon doesn't claim any) so you have to give them permission -- and that won't put your books directly onto any bookstore shelves. But it will put your books in a catalog many order from and on sites like Barnes and Noble. Details - https://www.createspace.com/Products/...
• when listing your book on goodreads (anyone here a few days can add even with a future publish date or can ask a librarian to do for you) -- immediately shelve it as whatever genre(s) it is. goodreads uses shelves like other sites use tags, keywords and categories. Goodreads ties some very promotional features (free ones) into the genres -- including a new releases email they send to members, exploring popular by genre, etc. Some group book of the month reads and challenges/games also look at those genre shelvings. The book recommendation goodreads system generates also uses.
(That sounds more promising than the reality -- more popular (meaning more shelved or rated) books will still show first so your book likely buried way past where many readers scroll -- but a better chance than if not shelved appropriately. And you could luck into a subgenres shelving for your release month with very few new releases which would feature your book prominently).
• on goodreads, if you don't have a final cover, don't load one unless it's clearly labeled " draft" or "coming soon" -- goodreads doesn't care whether or not in print, books and bookcovers don't get removed because 25+ million members may have shelved or used in various activities. (Takes contacting staff if removing a book for legal issues or cancelling publication). If too late for anyone reading this, new covers get added as new editions but authors can set which edition is featured primary edition (what shows in search results, series page, author page, etc.) -- directions in #4 of author FAQs at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... . If not set by the author, goodreads uses most popular edition (often the oldest because in use longer so collected more ratings, shelvings, etc.). The cover issue is a whole big thing here that when starting from scratch easiest to wait to post final published cover or clearly denote it's a draft.
Most books and articles on the subject of author self promotion recommend utilizing multiple tools.Website - Professionally designed and maintained. It should include a brief blurb, author bio. and secure communication page with contact information.
Personal Appearances - Opportunities sponsored by book stores, public libraries, literary festivals and book clubs. Come prepared to deliver a well rehearsed presentation with book signing pen in hand.
Promotional Materials - Push cards, thank you cards, business cards, and book marks promoting both the work and its author. Readily accessible to attendees at book signings, festivals, and promotional appearances.
Literary Website Interaction - Active participation within discussion groups. Allow members to get to know you as a fellow reader as well as an author. Limit self promotion to only those discussion threads specifically designated for that purpose.
Multiple Book Formats - Cater to the varied personal preferences of readers by providing access to several formats of a work: traditional print, e-book, audio book on CD and audio book download.
Blog - Technically well written, professionally presented and consistently updated.
Jim wrote: "Blog - Technically well written, professionally presented and consistently updated..."And linked to author profiles on goodreads and elsewhere when possible. (If trouble linking on goodreads, with some blog platforms sometimes the RSS feed link is better to use).
If you know you won't be able to update some sites, can always add a brief note that it's best to reach you at ...
Jan wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Well, it has been a busy and eventful couple of weeks since my last entry into this series. Nevertheless, I promised to briefly discuss how you get your words out to the world! Needl..."Have to say, in my experience, it simply falls to you to get the (your) word out there. I had originally sought an agent and/or publisher but without success. One agent did however, have the decency to suggest the self-publishing route that I had never heard of before. I have since published through CreateSpace (for Print-on-Demand paperback), Kindle, Smashwords (who distribute to various retailers including Barnes & Noble, Nook, iBooks, etc, also to library listing sites) and Google Play Books.
Provided you follow each sites guidelines it is reasonably easy to self-publish. I have done so with success (I mean publishing not sells) for two or three years now. Would recommend you to, at the very least, use CreateSpace, if you wish to have paperback editions of your book(s) available, Kindle and Smashwords. They give you the best distribution avaialbe and are all free. I have never worked with a small press (who usually charge a fee; as a rule reasonable). However, have only read of a few that have been completely happy with them. To my mind, why pay when you can do it for yourself.
Many of the companies that will do print books for you are going to charge ridiculous prices and have expensive number of minimum copies you have to pay to print -- even if you only needed a few for a local booksigning or your relatives. Often after paying them to print hardcopies you are still the one responsible for trying to get them distributed, possibly even for shipping them.Print on demand services (like but not limited to Createspace) mostly do as it sounds -- print as needed or as sold to the customer who pays print costs (not the author). Not all sell or distribute outside their own website (or even there, you may still have to pay per copy yourself to sell there and elsewhere elsewhere) or distribute to Amazon. Not all, despite the name, let you out of the pay-for-minimum-print-run -- but most print-on-demand services differ from other vanity and non-traditional publishing/printing services by customer paying, not the author, not requiring authir to pay for minimum print run..
If someone says a print on demand service was mis-advertised as free but cost them $$$, double check that the $$$ wasn't spent on additional services like using them to create the book-cover or buying the artwork from them. Many of them even offer authors discounts when purchasing for their own needs.
I use an idie publisher. They promote my book via newsletter, their own website and affiliates, outlets such as Amazon, and also set up print on demand. They don't charge anything in advance and the contract on the book is only one year. Other than that I do some personal marketing, mostly in Goodreads as well as by participating in various writing websites and story sites where I place free short stories.
Thanks all for all the invaluable information. Now I just need an extra 10 hours each day and I'd (I guess, we'd) be all set.
I am trying out Kindle Scout. Since my biggest problem as an author is obscurity, having that kind of marketing muscle is just what I need. I've spoken with an author whose book was published this way, and he said it was one of the best things to happen to him as an author.My campaign is running April 1-30
https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/W84J...
Thank you for a well written article.As an indie author I do feel the need to point out though, that not all of us have resorted to indie publishing because we couldn't find a traditional publisher.
It is increasingly becoming a first option.
There's many of us who resent having to go through an agent to get to a publisher (x2 lots of people taking large bites out of our meagre royalties).
And many who just like the freedom of self-publishing. We don't have to conform to rigid boundaries. There is no formula to stick to. We can create new and exciting books our own way (with varying degrees of success, granted).
It is the hardest path. As you rightly pointed out, all the editing/marketing/promotion etc. has to be done by ourselves. This is incredibly difficult, especially with a limited budget. And is incredibly time consuming. But not impossible.
Also, many doors are closed; there's lots of big reviewers who don't review indies, for example.
But if/when you achieve 'success' then you get the very warm glowing feeling it was all your own work :-)
Two other considerations which drive authors away from traditional publishing houses to self-publish are time and the small number of manuscripts accepted each year by traditional publishing houses. It can easily take two years from acceptance of a manuscript by a traditional publishing house to print launch. And most houses accept manuscripts only from agents, who can also be very hard for an emerging author to land. There are valid reasons for that length of time and for that small number of accepted manuscripts. But since well over 95 percent (my guess) of authors out there will never see the inside of a publishing house, no matter how good their story, self-publishing becomes an important option.
Sally wrote: "Two other considerations which drive authors away from traditional publishing houses to self-publish are time and the small number of manuscripts accepted each year by traditional publishing houses..."Important yes, and for many of us the only option. Thankfully, self-published books have less of a poor reputation these days. Still not good but now are not completely thrown out at first sight.
A car payment can mean significant income, depending on the car - ;-)You may not get rich, but if the royalties are rolling in steadily, that's always good. I hope it keeps up.
Congrats from me as well on that, T.L. That's a great accomplishment--not to mention that you're your own boss where writing is concerned.
I am traditionally published, and unless your name is Patterson or King, you are dreaming about six figure contracts...used to be an author could make a decent living writing, but the way contracts are written today and the competition for sales, a middle of the road good writer is lucky to make $30k a year...if you're doing this work for the money, it's the wrong motivation...The Authors Guild is working hard, in fact going to the Supreme Ct. to get changes made in contracts, so if you get a chance support them.
Jan wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Well, it has been a busy and eventful couple of weeks since my last entry into this series. Nevertheless, I promised to briefly discuss how you get your words out to the world! Needl..."Honestly, I think the answer is staring you in the face. I mean, any business venture is a work in professionalism. IF there was a meeting set up and he never showed, doesn't that reflect a lack of professionalism? I can understand if he was busy but in that case a cordial phone call or some such to cancel or reschedule seems logical. Here is my question to you, would YOU want to trust such a person with your work?? Food for though, yes?
T.R. wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Well, it has been a busy and eventful couple of weeks since my last entry into this series. Nevertheless, I promised to briefly discuss how you get your words out to the world! Needl..."Thanks! That was my aim. I mean, we all try and sift through the sea of what to do. While not exhaustive, hopefully it is useful in helping some people find a starting point.
Penguin Teen (temporarily to make a point, this is really D.A.) wrote: "Some good explanations, resources and cautions at http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/f...Don't hesitate to ask questions on retail sites you might list your book for sa..."
This is terrific additional info. thanks for sharing it :)
T.L. wrote: "Thank you for a well written article.As an indie author I do feel the need to point out though, that not all of us have resorted to indie publishing because we couldn't find a traditional publish..."
Like I said, it sure wasn't exhaustive and you have brought up some excellent points about indie work and publishing. THIS was why I posted it because I knew other people would have experience to add to it.
Aww, thanks for the responses guys. Big shout out to all indies! It's hard work but worth it.I do know one indie who's now writing for a living (it's pretty close to the bread line, but she's doing it). And no, that's not me ;-)
I'm so pleased this option is open to us. And that it's carrying less stigma.
"Hoorah"! :)
Writing a novel was just one of four items included in a bucket list that my late wife insisted I create upon retiring in 2001. It was published Aug. 9, 2011.The most recent quarterly sales report revealed that to-date (Aug. 9, 2011 through March 31, 2016), a total of 1,002 units have been sold (479 paperback books, 459 e-books, 36 audio books on CD and 28 audio downloads). Royalty checks total $2,306.67
I can honestly say that writing a novel is one of the least successful and least profitable endeavors that I ever pursued during my lifetime. That said; it is also one of the most personally rewarding and gratifying endeavors and learning experiences I have experienced during my lifetime.
We live in a world of changing times for readers. Traditionally, books were sent to big publishers who printed several copies on paper (GASP) YES! on PAPER! They had and still have beautiful covers, bindings and, hopefully, ample distribution and promotion. The situation is more complex now with the advent of technology - tablets, phones and ereaders. They all play a role and the jury is out on which is greater. Plus, with so much social media, the face of promotion is changing too! Often it is left to the care of authors and, if they are lucky, their team. So, which do you pick - traditional or ebooks? The simple answer is both to cast your net as far and wide as possible. This, however, is unrealistic for authors not yet established. Often the choice will come down to a more limited geographic distribution in paper formats, as the costs of shipping, packing, printing and international business rise, or immediate global distribution via eplatforms, though that option may limit availability as well.
So, where do you start now that you have a manuscript? That is a good question and, of course, my outline here is very, very rough, open to interpretation AND criticism. Basically, different people follow different paths, cater to different audiences and will have different advice.
MOST will say that literary agents still hold the "keys to the kingdom." What does that mean, you ask? Simple, they still have the connections to push your work with the large publishing houses. Your first step should be to search for reputable literary agents who handle works like that which you are offering to the world. For each agent, learn their specific requirements for submission and do your best to follow them exactly to the letter. You may have to also research writing query letters and agent contracts. They can be tricky!!! Next, contact the agents and wait! Typically speaking, it CAN take up to three months for a reply, if you get one at all. Some know right away and reply quickly. They will be respectful, whether they accept or reject your work. You should do the same! It is, after all, a business transaction. Never forget that your work is personal to YOU but not them, to them it is a commodity and they need to see an ability to work with you to make money. They may not even dislike your work but feel that they cannot serve you. In other words, it might just be a bad match. Also, don't send it to agents who OBVIOUSLY don't deal with your kind of work. MANY accept queries - whether sample chapters or entire manuscripts - via email. Although, some will still require snail mail and printed pages. Obviously, that is much more expensive. As such, try querying those who accept emails first.
What happens if you don't get an agent? Now it gets more tricky! There are a few options. However, in a nutshell, you can choose to self publish or approach publishers yourself!
Let's take the last one first - approaching publishers yourself. This is a great option but know that the BIG publishers do not accept unsolicited submissions. What does that mean? If you don't have an agent then you won't get considered. That is the whole "keys to the kingdom" issue I spoke of earlier. Still, there are MANY smaller publishers who do accept work. Again, like with agents, tailor your submission to the publishers desires. Always be respectful and professional and, of course, opt to query those who accept emails first, as it is cheaper. Also, it might be wise to research publisher contracts - these can be quite daunting with many loop holes. Let's not forget, with publishers and/or agents, if you are previously unpublished, or only have a work or two to your credit, then you have very very little leverage for bargaining a great contract. After all, you are totally unproven! Hopefully, at this stage, someone sees value in your work and will give you a chance. A publisher may offer you either a print or ebook format or, potentially, both. They also take the financial risk with you earning a percentage of profits. Again, this is where studying contracts helps!
What if a publisher doesn't accept your polished manuscript? You can always pick and choose appropriate publishers and send your submission via snail mail. Again, this is expensive. You should always look for a match for your work, even more so if you need to mail it the old fashioned way! And/or, you may begin to look outside your country of origin at international publishing houses.
Let's assume you did all of that and STILL didn't get published in either ebook or traditional formats. Are you dead in the water? No! there is always the other option of self publishing! There was once a stigma associated with this but it is lessening IF your story is excellent and your editing done well! Good work is, well, good work! Many companies will offer either flat rates for ordering a certain number of copies or minimal percentages of sales. Naturally, when we talk about traditional paper books this means you, as an author, need to take on the complete financial responsibility, legalities, things like ISBN numbers and UPC codes and, all marketing! To be fair, authors do a lot of their own marketing in any case these days! The point is, your work can get out there but you need to be able to shoulder the burden and sell yourself! Or, you might choose to publish an ebook. there are several formats, we all know this. They each use different encoding but there are also encoding converters available. It CAN be a little more cumbersome but still possible. Again, you have all of the above challenges and responsibilities but at a lower cost. Heck, you might do both! What is the advantage then? Whatever profits you make - you keep!
Here is a note on vanity presses. These look like traditional publishers. They even feel like it! HOWEVER, he will charge an upfront cost and may or may not do much, if anything, to sell your book. They also may or may not still want a percentage of the profits. Avoid these!! A printer SHOULD present themselves as such for self publishing purposes. Also, a true blue publisher will earn money from profits, not an upfront cost. THEY believe in you, your work and your ability to sell enough that they will take the risk for the reward of actual sales profits!
There you have it! A very brief overview. Believe in you and eventually others will too! You have a gift to give the world, so find a way to give it. Never quit, never give up, always be humble, smart, and intelligent. Do your homework and know all the angles. I hope my little writing series has been informative and helpful because you, yes YOU sitting right there... you CAN do this!!