THE Group for Authors! discussion
Publishing and Promoting
>
Publishing is not the end product
date
newest »
newest »
message 51:
by
David
(new)
Mar 27, 2017 06:38AM
It is rare for reading groups to acknowledge whether the book is good or bad. There are different ways of getting good feedback and I guess one of these is to try and market a book before its publication. And this is a service that can't be provided by reader groups. A writer shouldn't give up writing because of these fringe groups. Reader groups are a small drop in the ocean and their word shouldn't be taken as a gospel truth. Reader groups offer a minimal service and one needs a group that has clout and connections in order to pull strings. A good reading group would have connections with literary agents and publishers. Otherwise, a writer needs a group that has dealings with a publishing house and it would be good to have a publisher recommend you to a reading group. A writer needs to stand up for his works as there is no one who knows a book better than a writer himself/herself. Reading groups account for something insignificant in the wider piece in the puzzle as far as publishing is concerned.
reply
|
flag
There isn't a magic want to get readers and receiving readers is a trial and error. It is a question of luck and to obtain readers depends on how much effort and work one has put in. For some they receive no results and for others it is plain sailing. So long as there is light one has to fight for their corner to get readers. Some things one could apply to get readers is to have many reviews, readings, appearances on book festivals and promotions. The other point is to use social media. Publishing a book is the beginning and getting readers is another for a writer to consider. Some writers lose and others gain. All books are treated differently and will receive a different reception. Each writer who has published a number books will notice that their books have varying demands. Just like pears and apples. An author has to believe in their work and the other important thing to take on board is to have the right contacts like publishers and reviewers alike. An author has to be responsible for their patent and every successful book is hard work behind it. Most readers use the same media for information and using automated social media would yield results. Publishing is a long journey of discovery to obtain readers and the ultimate aim, goal and objective is to have readers. You need to have your cards before you. The choice is yours to have readers and the path you take is entirely of your bidding.
There is limited coverage and reviews in the main stream media to review indie books and the newspaper circulation is dwindling and falling, making reviewing books a less priority. Therefore you will find it is hard as an indie author to be offered a review. Publishers rely on papers to review their books and reviewing an indie in the main stream papers in the end will be a liability rather than asset. Newspapers are courting for investers by appealing to readers to invest in their papers. The situation is coupled with few readers opting for newspapers and others have opted or have adapted to go online. Newspapers are in a precarious situation and are after profit and they will stick with books they believe would attract readers. Buying newspapers is an old tradition sort of style of receiving information in this age of modernity. Newsapers must adapt to this changing world without overlooking their audience and readership. An indie author faces many challenges and has to weather a prolonged period of uncertainty and anxiety. You need to stick and to endure however much the toil. Don't give up on writing or jump ship for that ship will rescue you on the path to the top. Newspapers will consider what benefit and what is there to gain in reviewing an indie book. The process of publishing has no clear end. It has a lot of hurdles and obstacles and you need to be determined and hopeful as an indie author.
Some publishers have resorted to suspend hunting for writers. There seems to be a trend to scale down and be selective at choosing who should be published. This could be because of a number of things; reviewers changing the way they analyse how they review books and having a review may not generate public reader's attention. Most publishers operate under different guidelines and conditions. One needs to have a clear understanding of the nature of a publisher and the submitted book should stand-out from the rest of the books the publishers take on. Consider publishing as a job and you have to convince a publisher that you are the right author to be considered and you have the credentials to be published. There are many books submitted by writers to publishers that are under consideration and priority has to be given to writers who have a proven record of sales. It is better to market a book before publishing it and submit the marketing as a publishing package.
Old traditions diehard and giving up on all old pursuits never diminishes. The advent of books has survived and has been tested and proven the critics wrong about the demise of the book form and being loyal to the book form has taken over new means of accessing reading methods. The book form has triumphed and the ebook formant is no longer in ascendancy. Ebooks have to rely on the physical presence of a published book and both complement each other. You need to rely on both and not to substitute one for the other but tap in on both both need equal promoting and marketing. Ebooks can still exist and fill a gap in the publishing world and some writers have succeeded in accessing ebooks than hardbacks. It is give and take.
You have got to look out for potential publishers as an unknown entity, there are scant chances that you will be published. You have to be reputable in your chosen field in order to see your writing craft succeed. Having published, your next step is to acquire readers. You have too market the book as often as possible as a book won't read itself. Reviews are a great mirror for what readers may expect from your book. Reviewing is a point of entry and a great launch pad for readers to know how accessible your book is and publishing does guarantee that your book would weather the readers appeal. The greater the reviews the greater the chances that you will succeed.
I agree. Patience is also important. Most books published sometimes linger around until the publishing house decides to market them. It's not just in writing. I worked for almost 2 decades as a photographer and a journalist and I had more work than those on the front page of the NY Times. Because I was known to those who could use my skills in access and communication. Writing in my genre is difficult because it will not sell like the butter of make-you-feel-good but I write because I have something to say and I love writing and I know that in time will carry my work forward. Once I have time, I will make an effort to promote the work but at the moment, it's writing which is the most important aspect of being reputable in one's field.
Let me offer a somewhat different but complementary perspective. I write because in both fiction and non fiction I have something to say and frankly I just like to write. And yes, there is that constant issue, promote one's work or just move on and write. But that is not really a binary choice. Having written a lot of different books with traditional publishers and on my own through Amazon Create Space it has become very obvious to me that the more books you have out there the easier it is to promote them because earlier books lead readers to newer ones. So with that in mind I think folks can simply relax and keep writing knowing that the writing itself plays a role in future promotions of ones work and the search for a larger audience.
Its true writing is a process and a progression which needs to be sustained. There are many ideas floating around and you need to keep the hope alive. There are different ways of publishing both self published and traditional and you need to cater for all writing. You need to be preoccupied and the more books you write the more workload you have to take on and writers are known for few books rather than for all their writing package. The search for a larger audience is time consuming and the harder part of publishing. You need to be patience in writing and you have to take with you the skills that are required. Colleagues could spread the word about you book. Taking on the mantle of writing is a dedication and a labour of love. It is a full time occupation without cavats and it has no rules attached. Keep on writing and you have committed yourself to spread the word and don't jump overboard. Every writer has an archive of ideas and dreams and the more you write the more resourceful you will become.
Though I like writing novels and short stories, my most beneficial writing was done for newsletters and web sites focused on issues and causes, such as environmentalism, worker rights, tenant rights and anti-war issues. As a retiree, I don't need to look at writing for income. This is very liberating. If you write to get money, you have to write what the company wants. If you write for the cause, they pay very little. Now I can do persuasive writing based on my ideas and beliefs.
Patricia you have found new ground for your writing anyone who writes writes for a cause. There are many things to write about and there is no reason to write without a cause and focus. One writes to benefit from their writing and contribute your ideas to the world. It is a writer who is in charge and who offers his/her opinion on all matters of writing. Writing is not only for the pleasure of writing but to garner interest for your works. Most publishing companies are elitists and offer minimal service. You have to believe in your work and what your stand for. You shouldn't restrict yourself and the only way out is to engage your writing on a plethora of ideas.
Hi, I'm Louise. I'm new here. I've written two novels and am currently sending out queries to publishers and agents. I am enjoying reading the messages on here.
Lousie writing is amazing and looking for publishers is equally as important as marketing a book. Seek publishers by working out what your market potential is and you need to outline that your book is something readers need to read. Remember there is a market and you need to tell publishers your targeted audience. You need to tell publishers your objective to write the book and who it is intended too and do the work of publishers by working out your readership and most publishers have their in house promotion and marketing department and publishers have the resources and commitment to take on any book. It makes a publishers work easier if you have a marketing plan tell them how your book stands out and it would be a good turn round by publishers investing in your book. Publishers have readers in mind and a proven market for your book is a bonus for publishers to publish your book.
There is no direct path and journey to obtain readers. There are several ways to get readers. One is your book has to be reviewed by several reviewers and you have to read your book before a live audience, second your book may be serialised, third your book should be broadcast, fourth your book should be adapted and lastly your book should be advertised on tv, in newspapers and more to that bookshops should recommend your book and online book websites should recommend your book. You could appear on festivals and book forums either on tv or radio. You could haveendorsements from readers and you could have posters and billboards. Your book could be a set book for colleges and schools.
As a writer your efforts in marketing and promoting your book will in the end bear fruit. You will fail in one sector but succeed in another. There is some good in writing even though you are not a household name and a brand name or writer. First of all, you need to be satisfied with your writing and to have confidence in your writing endeavours. You need to sow your knowledge as it will advance your status and establish you in society. There is a wellspring of knowledge to be harnessed and it is waiting for you. Writing is a celebration and an achievement that is limitless. Your writing will be in the pantheon of writers but aim for the stars in your books and the stars will procliam you as being of merit and your star will glow with mightiness. Don't take to heart your shortcomings and misdeeds as it is part of the joy of writing. Don't have misgivings but dwell on the positiveness of your writing. Accept criticism as positive criticism.
No book can read itself and it needs readers and how to reach readers is a great conundrum. There isn't any single silver lining to marketing a book. Writing a book is the easiest part but getting readers is the hardest bit. A book that isn't marketed will remain on the book shelves. You need to have critics behind you and there are limited reviews that can reach a wide audience as there is no magic wand which reviews can generate sales. You need to have or be backed by reviewers to endorse your book. Every effort in marketing a book will be considerable and relevant and may serve the purpose. There is no pain in marketing a book but only gains are preferrable. Every writer knows what they want to achieve with their writing and hold their books to their chest.
Having a book rejected doesn't mean it has no foundation message. A book can give a writer strength and courage and if you overcome a publisher's rejection pen you will receive consolattion from your work. Rejection brings focus and most publishers need books that can draw a crowd. There is no ease in being rejected but a writer should not feel anxious over rejection slips. Remember publishers are struggling with their own books. A writer is not alone in struggling to receive readers. According to readers why should they read your book and a book is not a necessity therefore it is at the bottom of a pile or list of things for a reader to consider and it isn't on high demand like food. A Book must contribute to the well being of a reader and why and what is it a greatest thing a reader should pick you book. Why should readers pick your book out of many book choices? Books are not on great demand.
