Archive for the ‘Authorship’ Category

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Author Helps Readers Find Passion in Their Work

Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

Today, we feature another editorial client and her book.

Lola Brown is the author Joyful Mondays: How to Find Passion and Joy in Your Work. She says, “Learn to love your work or find work you love.” Have you ever wondered what draws a person to a particular line of work and what makes them want to stay there? Lola invites readers to, “Follow along as 37 men and women in a variety of occupations reveal how they found passion and joy in their work.” She asks each participant, “How did you get to the place where you found passion and joy in your work?” and “If you could go back and change something about your choice of career, what would it be?” She says that by reading this book, you will discover what passion means to these individuals and what adversities or pitfalls they have overcome during the course of their careers. According to the author, “Joyful Mondays is designed to inspire you and show you what is possible. It encourages you to draw upon your own experiences and leads you through the steps to finding a career that gives you passion and hope.”

Here’s my interview with Lola Brown.

Patricia: What is your background as an author/writer?

Lola: I have over 25 years’ experience teaching courses in career development and career transition. My book, Resume Writing Made Easy: A Practical Guide For Job Seekers is published by Prentice Hall and has been in print since 1982. I have also worked as a career coach and consultant for several years and currently, as a psychologist, I work with clients experiencing personal problems due to unemployment. In my practice as a psychologist, I also assist clients in making career and life transitions.

Patricia: Why did you decide to write this book?

Lola: I started out doing the research on retirement counseling until one day my husband stated “Why are you writing about retirement? You know nothing about it!” It was then that I quickly changed my focus and started interviewing people who were still working and enjoying it. I wanted to find out what kept them motivated and satisfied in their careers.

Patricia: Tell us a little about the process of writing it.

Lola: In the course of doing the research for the book, I interviewed over 50 men and women with ages ranging from 31-96. From a narrative study perspective, each interviewee was asked the same 11 questions. The interviews generally lasted from 25-45 minutes. It was indeed enjoyable and gratifying to be able to meet these fascinating people and get a glimpse into their professional lives. The laborious part was having to transcribe all the interviews verbatim and from the transcript in order to write a story about their work life. I hired a college student to do the transcription and I am very happy to say that it helped defray her college expenses. My cat, Sammy, and I spent many hours in front of the computer over a span of three years. I wrote several queries and proposals before I finally decided to self-publish with Dog Ear Publishing.

Patricia: Who is your audience for this book?

Lola: This book is about finding meaning in your life through the joy of work. Joyful Mondays addresses career-change issues that are common for workers in a wide age range. For those in the early career stage (ages 25-34) as well as for college and university students, it is about putting all your energies in the right direction. It guides you through the process of finding meaning and joy. The mid-careerists (35-50) may be asking themselves “Is this all there is?” These readers will discover that it is never too late to retread. The late careerist (over age 50) will find many examples of how others have transitioned to careers that are meaningful and satisfying. This helps the reader to identify with someone who has been there before.

Patricia: What are doing to promote this book?

Lola: I maintain a website http://www.LolaBrown.net that showcases my professional practice and activities. The website http://www.JoyfulMondays.com gives details about the book and how it can be obtained. I volunteer as a guest speaker/workshop presenter for a number of organizations including the Orange County Psychological Association. I am professor emeritus at Fullerton College and I have maintained contact with many of my colleagues. I have been an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California and maintain contact with their career placement center. I recently engaged the services of Smith Publicity and am using this firm to assist in getting the book out to book exhibits such as the California Library Association. I plan to continue working with Smith Publicity.

Joyful Mondays, How to Find Passion and Joy in Your Work.
Print–$17.95

Ordering information
http://www.dogearpublishing.com
http://www.JoyfulMondays.com
http://www.amazon.com

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A Swashbuckling Story set in the Glory Days of the Roman Empire

Monday, October 14th, 2013

Matthew Wilson came to me a couple of years ago with his novel. This spring he brought it back with some changes and additions. The result is Books 1 and 2 of Three Slaves of Rome.

Here’s the author’s description: “During the glory days of the Roman Empire, seven Irishmen living in the midst of a violent war are captured and taken into slavery. Crossing paths with a lifelong slave, friendships are forged that lead them into an amazing adventure. They traverse the known world, seeking a treasure dear to them. Some find love, but all encounter incredible obstacles and find themselves facing impossible odds.”

One might wonder how you go about writing such vivid action scenes. Matthew explains during our interview:

Patricia: What is your background as an author/writer and in the field of your book?

Matthew: I love history and I’ve always loved movies like Brave Heart, Robin Hood and the like. As I pictured history, I began to develop ideas, like movies, in my mind. I just needed to write them down.

Patricia: Tell us a little about your process of writing this book.

Matthew: Just writing down the pictures that I as was able to imagine seemed almost impossible. I must have given up five times at least¬¬—I mean the whole thing in the trash five times. Then I read some books, and took a writing course and slowly began to be able to write. My writing improved so much that by the time I finished the book I had to rewrite the first half to make it as good as the second half.

Patricia: Who is your audience for this book?

Matthew: Anyone who loves a thrillingly adventurous, romantic story, that is suspenseful, and vividly paints a picture of the way things were in a time past.

Patricia: What are you doing to promote this book? Anything interesting?

Matthew: As of this writing, book one is free in order to get some reviews and a following. In a couple of months I will be launching a blog. It will not have a subject, but it will probably consist of historical stuff with some humor. I will also be launching a Twitter and Facebook account to feature the blog on.

Patricia: Share with us some of your most exciting experiences as the author of this book.

Matthew: Hearing from the satisfied customers, and seeing that they received value from it.

Patricia: Any other books in the pipeline?

Matthew: In a couple of months after the blog is launched, I plan to start book three.

You’ll find Three Slaves of Rome in ebook format only at Amazon.com as well as the author’s website. He’s offering book one FREE this week. http://www.ThreeSlaves.com

I’ve read this book and agree with the reviewers who gave it 5 stars. This is an exciting story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The detailed descriptions are so vivid you can watch the story play out in your mind like a movie. It should be a movie and maybe will someday.

Posted in Announcements, Authorship | No Comments »

Author Explains How to Triumph Over Trying Times

Sunday, October 13th, 2013

I’m featuring some of my clients this week. I edited Gary Ryan’s interesting book, TRIUMPH Over Trying Times, A Voyage of Discover to the Center of Yourself. Here’s what the author has to say about his book:

“Many of us are realizing that ever more rapid changes are taking place, both for us personally and in the world around us. These transitional times require increased levels of awareness to reveal, to ourselves, who we really are. Our first order of business is to stop mindlessly accepting whatever mood or sense of being that happens to be floating by and demand a better and more desirable future for ourselves. We are much more powerful than we think we are. The time has come to recognize and develop the multi-dimensional aspects of our true nature in order to maximize our use of the powerful energies that have become available. This is a special opportunity in the history of humanity. You can now advance by the equivalent of thousands of years in next to no time by (finally) choosing to become the creative, self-correcting human being you are meant to be—a person in command of the direction and quality of your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions. This “self-mastery” leads to the fulfillment of our very existence and TRIUMPH over Trying Times is pointing the way.”

He says, “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

This book is available at Amazon
Print edition $14.40
Kindle $2.99
Paperback in stores and at the author’s website: $16.00
http://www.garyRryan.com

Here’s my interview with author Gary Ryan

Patricia: What is your background as an author/writer?

Gary: I’m a curious person and I want to know, above all else; Who am I? Why do I exist? My first book, Blessings In Disguise, was a memoir, originally titled, Escape From Hell, Forever, until my wife convinced me to change it. I had a large share of harsh experiences over the years that I finally realized were mostly self-induced. Surprise, surprise! And if this was truly the case, could I “self-induce” experiences of a more desirable nature? Turns out I could and that’s how TRIUMPH Over Trying Times came to be.

Patricia: Why did you decide to write this book?

Gary: We are experiencing extraordinary times in the evolution of humanity, a shift of ages, providing us a special opportunity for accelerated spiritual understanding. We are evolving more rapidly than ever before. Being aware of this is helpful to our individual progress because we are then more open to recognizing and acknowledging the signs and changes and will, hopefully, be encouraged to consciously participate in the process. I have come to know myself as a spiritual being having a human experience, a vast improvement over my previous point of view, and a clear response to the questions of who am I? why do I exist? There seemed to be an energy responding to my need to know, and I was inspired to write it down.

Patricia: Tell us a little about your process of writing this book.

Gary: My writing routine begins at 4am, which I resisted at first but soon came to value as a very special time, especially conducive to considering matters of a spiritual nature. After a few hours, by 8 o’clock or so, I would transfer my longhand to the computer, refining things a little bit but still not concerned with correctness or editing in any way, writing and typing as fast as I can. I tried a tape recorder thinking I could better keep up with the flow of ideas and impressions, but it didn’t work for me. Writing in longhand is my preferred method.

Patricia: Who is your audience for this book?

Gary: From the preface of “Triumph…”: “This book is for those who are not satisfied with life and the world as it is, and who may even be close to giving up hope that things can get better. The good news is that your experience of life can vastly improve, and that glimmer of desire for a “better way,” that feeling that there’s got to be something better, is the requirement for that “something better” to be revealed.

Patricia: What are you doing to promote this book? Anything interesting?

Gary: I spent some months in Toastmasters learning to speak before groups and I conduct a weekly “Spiritual Book Study” group in Ventura on Tuesday evenings. I definitely need to step up my game.

Patricia: Any other books in the pipeline?

Gary: Researching and writing on spiritual matters has opened up a world of exciting and beneficial experiences that continue to expand my appreciation of life on a regular basis. I kept the habit of getting up around 4am and I can tell you, the spiritual world is much more active and apparent at that time of day.

TRIUMPH Over Trying Times, A Voyage of Discover to the Center of Yourself
By Gary Ryan
http://www.garyRryan.com

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A Savvy Author’s Journey—SM Huggins, “Green, The Awakening”

Friday, October 11th, 2013

Recently, it occurred to me that I have many clients with excellent books—I know, because I edited them. I also have this informative, entertaining blog site. I’ve decided to bring the two together and introduce some of my clients through my blog. I start with S.M. Huggins, the author of Green, The Awakening. I conducted an interview with her and, when I saw how wordy it was, I planned to cut it down and use only portions of it. When I began reading it, however, I could see how interesting and valuable the information is to other authors as well as readers, and I have used the complete interview. That’s why today’s blog is long. Read about this author’s unique reasons for using a pseudonym, how she met the challenges of writing after a brain injury and how she manages to write and market books while running a business and raising six children.

Here’s her book description: “The natural and the supernatural converge after Meelah Neegry and her adoptive father move to New York City. Bound to honor the universal law of free will, all must allow Meelah to awaken on her own. Without outside influence, she must choose her destiny.

“With her heart torn between the love of two, a winged being named Mikiel, who has vowed to protect her, and Kriyo, an honorable young man from Churria, she struggles to decide between them. However, where there is light, equally there is darkness. Those murky beings slithering to earth the day she arrived are reflections of the Dark Force, and these shadows hunt Meelah and the amulet that she must locate. This ominous force will stop at nothing to destroy her and her quest.

“Coping with the loss of those she cares for, Meelah discovers that resolving matters of the heart while embracing her destiny is an insurmountable undertaking. Nevertheless, all life as we know it depends on her success. All eyes are on this Light Warrior as her journey unfolds.”

See the beautiful cover here: http://smhuggins.com

The book is for sale at Amazon.com and many other online stores. It has only been out since the end of September this year and has three five-star reviews. I loved it as I edited it. It appears that readers are loving it, too.

I interviewed the author. Here are her responses:

Patricia: Why did you use a pseudonym?

SM: I use a pseudonym for a few reasons. S.M. are the initials of my first and middle name. Huggins is my maiden name and the name used to file my taxes. There is more than a practical nature for my choice. I still would have published under a pen name and this is why. I became too emotionally attached to my story. Though I am proud of this accomplishment, I also needed to detach from it. Through detachment, I was able to separate emotionally from my creation. This afforded me the freedom to be objective. To reach an audience and to make book writing not only a passion but also a business, I needed to remain detached from the emotion of it all. Using a pseudonym allowed for this separation. I created the Green series and this feat satisfied my soul. Impartiality, I hope, will carry my labor of love to success.

Patricia: What is your background as an author?

SM: There is a beginning to everything in life. Green, The Awakening, is the launch of my writing career. Though I have written three other unpublished novels, I wrote them solely for me. These creations validated my profound love of writing. These novels also confirmed that I was able to overcome the lingering residual effects of a traumatic brain injury. This injury altered every aspect of my life. My memory was compromised, yet I did it; I wrote three manuscripts. By writing, I gained focus and confidence.

Patricia: Why this story?

SM: This story came to me in a dream. Vividly, I saw it play out in my mind. I couldn’t type fast enough. Truly, it consumed me. My mind would not let facets of this tale go until I penned it on paper. This is when I wrote the first three versions of the Green series. I learned through this process that I was a storyteller. This is something that must have been handed down from my Pequot Indian ancestors. I have always had a boundless sense of imagination. With time, I threaded my storytelling and imagination together and refined this dream into the series it is.

Patricia: Tell us a little about the process of writing this book.

SM: When I write, I get lost in a world. I thoroughly enjoy creating. Having six children, four young adults and two adolescents, I have to structure my day. I also run a business. My days are full! But, without doing something that nourishes my soul, even if it’s only for an hour, makes for a day that I feel out of balance. I make time to write five days a week. During the weekends, I rest my creative mind and spend quality time with my tribe. My process is simple. I make the time and I allow the story to flow. After I complete a chapter then I do my editing before proceeding. The editing process is never-ending and well worth the time and the effort. I use this process to refine all aspects of the scene. When I’ve completed a manuscript then I read it over and over again before I have an editor polish it. This step is where I met Patricia Fry. She taught me that we can be blind to our mistakes. It’s wise to have another set of eyes help your story shine.

Patricia: Who is your audience for this book?

SM: One of my teenage daughters especially, fell in love with my story. She would read each new chapter the moment I stepped away from my laptop. My daughter’s passion not only drove me, it molded my writing to her age group. It has taken me three years from my initial manuscript to my first finished product. I broadened my target audience to young adults. In doing so, I still have my older children engaged. I am also savvy. I’ve done my homework; always the business woman. Young adult novels are selling, especially in eBook format. Words to the wise: Write from your soul, never compromise this but if you wish to sell your creation to more than a few people then do your market research.

Patricia: What are you doing to promote this book—anything interesting?

SM: I began promoting Green, The Awakening, when I worked on my cover. I knew that it had to be something engaging and intriguing. Fortunately, I found a wonderful cover artist. Her information is on my website under the Resources for Authors link. I have also provided the names and contact information of trusted and talented professionals related to editing/formatting/publishing. Back to cover design. Through my research, I learned that the chances of someone buying the book of a first-time author with a bland cover are not the best. So, to draw in my target audience, I would require a captivating image. The female on my cover is precisely how I see my heroine; beautiful yet consumed by something that one wishes to understand. A powerful cover is crucial for a new author.

So… I wrote and self-published a novel. Who is going to know that I’ve accomplished this? Ah…ha! This is where the work comes in. More research was required and I’m still learning daily. I decided to utilize social media. I began promoting my book weeks before it was released. I drummed up excitement on Facebook and Instagram. Hundreds of people knew about my creation and began to pre-order it. I chose to self-publish with Ingram Sparks. They list your title on the Ingrams list, and their eBook vendor list is extensive. Again, if no one knows about your book then no one is going to purchase it in any format. Within a week of uploading my files, my title was on Barnes&Noble.com and Amazon.com. The buzz from Facebook and Instagram landed me hundreds of pre-sales. I have also employed my kids. Never underestimate the knowledge of your young adults. They spend hours a day (a very sad fact indeed, yet true) cruising the Internet. They threaded my cover and narrative to countless sites related to my genre, science fiction/fantasy. Using I-Page, I built a website. Yes, I built it! It’s quite user-friendly. I-Page made my pseudonym, S.M. Huggins, easily located through your browser. I linked my Facebook to my website as well enabling many eyes to view it. My website: http://www.SMHuggins.com is a means for people to get to know me and my projects, exposure, exposure.

When my book was in my hand and I held my dream for the very first time, it was an amazing feeling. I was wise enough to purchase several copies. My kids and their proud voices had spread the word to their teachers, the staff at their school. You name it, everyone in our circle knew about my feat. I gave a copy to a teacher and this resulted in the sale of several more. I have also been asked to do a book signing at my children’s school. I need to purchase more copies for that event. The relevance is, once you create then polish your novel, let it go—detach. Allow it to fly without fear. Not everyone may like it. But it is my opinion that one should create for themselves. Detachment is key.

Patricia: Any more books in the pipeline?

SM: As I have already mentioned Green is a series. The Awakening is only the beginning. I have already written two subsequent novels. I wished to continue writing the story versus publishing the first installment once I had finished it. This enabled me to amend facets of the storyline from the first book for overall congruency. In totality, my story flows. I left an opening at the end of the third installment for me to continue the series. Time will tell what I’ll do…

The author’s message to other writers: Thank you for taking your time to get to know me and my project. Write for yourself and enjoy the process. It is truly magical and for me, writing is also quite curative. If you choose to dive into the business of publishing, be sure to do your homework then… detach.

Green, The Awakening by S.M. Huggins available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com and many other online sites. http://www.SMHuggins.com

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Publishing: What Can You Expect to Pay?

Friday, October 4th, 2013

Should you hire publishing and marketing services or go it alone? This is something many authors consider. Those without funds—who hope to make money on their books—generally go it alone. And those with little time and money to spare sometimes hire help along the way.

Essential Expenses for All Authors
No matter what—always, always save up money enough to hire an editor for your manuscript before publishing. This could cost anywhere from $600 to $3,000 (even more), depending on the condition of your manuscript and the editor you hire.

Do you need an editor if you plan to land a traditional publisher? Absolutely—YES!!

When Self-Publishing (establishing your own company or hiring a publishing service)
Whether you decide to publish an ebook or a print book, you’ll need a nice cover—even if just to display at Amazon. This could cost you anywhere from $250 to $3,500 or so. Does a cover sell books? Again, absolutely—YES!!

You will need money for publishing expenses. Again, this will vary depending on the method of publishing (ebook versus print book), size of book, cover type and so many other considerations.

If you don’t have money saved or you aren’t currently earning a salary, start recycling aluminum, take on a part-time job, cut down on your daily dose of Starbucks—whatever it takes.

What About the Cost of Promoting a Book?
Should you have a nest egg set aside for this? My book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author” is brimming with ideas that don’t cost a cent. Oh, they’ll all dip into your time—but there is little or no outlay of money in most cases. I recommend that you study this book and others like it early in your writing and publishing journey and start creating a marketing plan.

Do you need help with this? Should you hire someone to promote for you? Oh, there are scads of folks out there offering services of all kinds to authors. And there may be a time when you want to take advantage of some of them. For example, once you’ve exhausted many of your marketing ideas and feel kind of stuck, you might consider hiring the right marketing agent or firm (or publicist) for your particular book for a couple of months.

Perhaps you’ll want to hire an expert in media promotion for your book on relationships or work with an agent who can get your novel into book clubs and reviewed at major review sites, for example. Before hiring someone, be clear as to your aspirations for this book and your willingness to participate to the necessary degree. If you hire a media specialist, for example, or a good publicist, expect to be busy giving interviews and presentations all over this country.

You Are Your Best Marketing Agent
While I am a fan of good marketing agents, I always advise most of my clients and other authors I meet to take charge of their own marketing campaign. Why? No one knows your book as intimately as you do, no one cares about it as much as you do and no one can represent it as well as you can. By the time you finish writing the book, you should have a crystal clear idea of who your audience is, where they are and how to approach them. It is the personal touch that will attract your readers.

Personality Sells Books
Readers want a relationship with their authors. That’s why I urge you to get out there among your audience so they can see first-hand how credible you are in your field and/or how passionate you are about your topic. You are the best representative for your book. You should be the one addressing your audience.

Sure first-time authors may need some help along the way. Let’s talk about that tomorrow. Your assignment today is to read “Promote Your Book” and/or other books by savvy, experienced authors and start creating your marketing plan.

If you plan to go out and speak on behalf of your book, please read “Talk Up Your Book.” Both of these books are at Amazon in print, Kindle and audio as well as at many other online and downtown bookstores

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Do You Have What it Takes to Become a Successful Author?

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Many authors write a book without thinking beyond the publishing (or self-publishing) contract. Today, I’d like to share with you some of the mistakes authors make along their writing/publishing path.

• They write the wrong book for the wrong audience.
• They don’t keep their readers in mind throughout the writing process.
• They don’t bother to hire an editor for their book.
• They don’t study the publishing industry, so they don’t know that:
o It is the author’s responsibility to promote the book.
o Promotion is a thousand times harder than writing the book.
o Authors must promote for as long as they want their books to sell.

And when it comes time to promote their books, they don’t know where to start. Some authors think they know, but many of them fall flat, become overwhelmed, become exhausted and frustrated and they quit. What happens when you stop promoting a book? It dies.

Nearly 78 percent of books published these days fail. And the reasons are printed above. Before you produce that amazing novel, fascinating memoir or valuable nonfiction book, take a look at these points and make sure you have covered all of them when preparing your book for publication. Publishing is not a walk in the park—it is a seriously competitive business that requires your full attention and then some.

For an education about the publishing industry and how you can more successfully fit into it, read, “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author” and for additional help promoting your book, study, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.” Available at Amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio as well as at most other online and downtown bookstores.

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Every Author Needs a Website

Saturday, September 14th, 2013

Why should authors have their own websites? The answer is simple—in order to be visible and approachable. Someone seeking a speaker for a conference or a club meeting; those wanting contributors to their books and articles; those wishing to interview you or review your book for their website, blog, a webinar, etc., need a quick and easy avenue to your contact information. If they can’t find you and your contact information, they will move on to another author. There are thousands of you out there.

Sure, your publishing company or service may feature your book at their website. You are on Twitter, FaceBook and LinkedIn. But you need your own website or blog site under your name or the title of your book—and this part is vital—with an easy-to-locate and access contact button—so anyone can locate you easily and quickly.

Sure, you’ll get some unwanted emails, but you’ll also receive some invitations and opportunities that will help you sell books.

Now, what can you do to bring the right people to your website? One way is to offer something of value to your readers for free. I create lists of 50 resources, ideas, tips, etc. for authors in order to bring attention to me and my books for authors. Currently, at http://www.patriciafry.com I’m giving away mini ebooks featuring “50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform.”

You could do something similar. What if your book is a memoir or a novel? Do some research and come up with some interesting or maybe humorous facts about the area you grew up in or the place where your novel is set, resources for those interested in additional books and movies on this topic or place, for example. Write related stories and offer them for free from your site.
Have an extensive resource list at your site for those interested in the topic of your book. Run a video on a topic of interest to your readers—a scene from your book, various people talking your book up or something else interesting or entertaining that will bring visitors to your site and hold their interest.

I could post a video at my websites with one of our cats doing something cute in order to promote my latest novel, Catnapped or my book of cat stories, Catscapades. One author I know has an adorable child pitching his book at his site. A friend has a great professionally orchestrated trailer to entice readers to her true crime book.

Once you have something of value to your readers at your site and an obvious contact button, advertise your site far and wide to bring people to it.

Tomorrow, we will talk about how to promote your amazing, useful, information-packed, entertaining website. In the meantime, if you need help finding a publisher or promoting your book, be sure to order your copies of Publish Your Book and Promote Your Book this weekend. You can get both books in print, Kindle and audio. They are also available at most other online and downtown bookstores. Or do as some authors do, order it here: http://www.matilijapress.com (I’ll tuck in a copy of my book, “How to Write a Successful Book Proposal” OR “Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book” FREE if you order one of these books from me this weekend—September 14 or 15, 2013.)

If you like mysteries with some romance and if you enjoy interesting cats, be sure to read Catnapped, the first in my Klepto Cat Mystery. It’s on Kindle only at http://amzn.to/14OCk0W It’s $2.99. If you can show me that you have bought the book by responding to a question about the story, I’ll send you a copy of my hard cover book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales as a gift. plfry620@yahoo.com

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Authorship Then and Now–What You Need to Know

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

It used to be that we became authors because we loved the writing process. We had to justify the time we spent writing, so we began publishing our work. It was once a rather simple process. And each person within the process had specific responsibilities. There was the writer and then there was the publishing company. Within the publishing company was the publisher, an editor and a publicity or marketing team. Oh yes, and booksellers. There were bookstores. That’s how books were sold. At some point, distributors came into being.

I think it was in the ‘70s or ‘80s when I first heard the statistic that 81 percent of Americans claim they have a book in them. Few of those books ever saw the light of day. I’d been a published author for years by then and I didn’t know another author. Now, everyone you meet either is an author or has a close relative or friend who is. Now at least that 81 percent of wannabes are published authors. And the publishing industry has become what I would call chaotic.

It used to be fairly easy to transition from serious writer pursuing a labor of love to published author. Publishing contracts were pretty straightforward. All that was required of the author after publication was a few book signings. Now, an author must have a business degree, a law degree and a marketing background in order to successfully navigate the publishing industry. Oh yes, it doesn’t hurt to know a little psychology, either. And if you weren’t born with a thick skin, grow one, because you’ll need it in this business.

Are you planning to write a book? Maybe you’re in the process of writing your memoir, a novel or a nonfiction book you feel is needed. Stop! Don’t take another step forward until you have studied the publishing industry. There’s an enormous amount that you need to know and understand before you get involved. Without this knowledge, you are setting yourself up to be yet another statistic. Did you know that nearly 78 percent of all authors fail?

You don’t want to go there. And you won’t, if you will study the publishing industry before you launch out with your book. There are many books as well as articles in magazines and newsletters on publishing and book marketing. Here is the book that I recommend.

Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author by Patricia Fry

Do you know what makes for a successful book? What your publishing options are? What are your responsibilities as a published author are? Do you know how to make your book more salable, how to choose the best publisher for your book and what book promotion involves? Do you know the process of setting up your own publishing company? Do you know when is the best time to find all of this out? BEFORE your book is a book. Publish Your Book is at Amazon in print, Kindle and audio and at most other online and downtown bookstores. Or order it here: http://www.matilijapress.com

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Embarrassing—Disturbing and All My Fault

Friday, September 6th, 2013

I’m reeling from the residue of a snap decision I made a few months ago. Going against everything I teach and preach, I published one of my books before it was ready. Without hiring an editor or proofreader, before listening to reader reviews, I published Catnapped, the first in my Klepto Cat Mystery Series as a Kindle book at Amazon.com in June.

I sold something like 800 copies within a few weeks. And I contacted dozens of book reviewers. Some of the reviews were not all that favorable. I took readers’ and reviewers’ comments to heart and hired a proofreader. I also spent many more hours revising the novel. And we resubmitted it to Amazon in August.

After submitting, I checked the book page at Amazon—took a look at the sample text and was convinced that the revised copy was now for sale and being distributed by Amazon. So I went into full-attack with my promotional efforts. I contacted tons more reviewers, I sent a newsletter to nearly 2,000 people, I amped up my cat blog, placed announcements with my affiliations, submitted articles with the book mentioned in my bio. Oh yes, I was in high-marketing mode.

Well, around 800 more sales later, I learned yesterday that the original book is still being distributed to Amazon customers. Big bummer. Big embarrassment. I guess they changed the copy they showcase on the book page when we submitted the new version, but they neglected to queue it for distribution.

We have resubmitted the revised edition of Catnapped to Amazon in hopes that it will get pushed all the way through the system and find its way to customers.

In the meantime, lesson learned. Never release a book for publication until all of your ducks are in a row. And then find a way to follow all the way through when you have made a submission of any sort. Trust has to go out the window when you’re not in control. As soon as you turn your amazing manuscript over to someone for editing, publication, review or whatever, make sure the other person or company completes their obligation.

As an aside—not only is my face red over this, it is swollen. You’ve seen that commercial where the actor hits himself on the head saying, “I should have had a V-8.” Well, I got a slap on the head of a different kind yesterday. While out walking early before the heat settled in for the day, I had a head-on collision with a bee. I had a terrible head-ache for a while, then the swelling started. Is the itching, discomfort and awful image I see in the mirror my slap-on-the-head telling me, “I should have been more well-prepared before launching out to become a novelist.” Sigh.

I have learned a lesson. I hope my experience will keep you from making an embarrassing mistake. You don’t want to have a bee slap you on your forehead.

Posted in Authorship, Publishing | No Comments »

An Author’s Education

Monday, August 26th, 2013

“I’ve just finished writing a book. Now what?” Every day, in every city, hopeful authors ask this question. They bring it up at their writers’ group meetings. They take an acquaintance, who happens to be an author, to lunch in hopes of getting answers. They contact professionals they find listed online or that a friend recommends to ask him or her how to proceed.

What they soon learn is that there is no formula, no one answer or resource for every author and every project. Successful publishing requires study, an open mind and the ability to make wise decisions based on you and your particular project. I know you read the part about making decisions, but did you read the words, “successful publishing requires study?” Or did you gloss over it in hopes it wasn’t actually there.

Wherever you are in the publishing process—stop your forward motion and pick up good books on publishing, subscribe to informative newsletters and join organizations where you can learn from others.

If you are still writing your book—you believe you are a ways off from the whole publishing scene—or if you are about to get involved in it, now is the time to start your study. If you haven’t started writing, yet, even better. You may not know it now, but you have a LOT to learn before you ever attempt to get a toe wet in the hugely competitive, complex world of publishing. Go to amazon.com right now and order “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author,” by me, Patricia Fry—publisher Allworth Press. You can buy it in print, Kindle or audio. It’s also available for other e-readers and in print at bookstores downtown as well as all over the Internet. You can even buy it from my site; http://www.matilijapress.com

Don’t make the mistakes that nearly 78 percent of authors make by neglecting to study the publishing industry. You need to have some understanding of the industry and how it works. You must know your options and the possible consequences of your choices. And you’d better be well-informed as to your responsibilities as a published author.

FYI, nearly 78 percent of all authors fail—that is, they sell fewer than 100 copies of their books total. Why? They did not understand the publishing industry, did not know about their choices or the possible consequences of their choices and they did not realize it was up to them to promote their books. Don’t fall into that percentage—be proactive on behalf of your book.

Your major responsibility, of course, is promoting your book. Do you have a clue as to how you’re going to do that? “Publish Your Book” has a large section on book promotion. But if you want more, you can order the companion book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.” If you think you do not need information about book marketing? Well maybe you don’t, unless, of course, you plan to become an author. “Promote Your Book” is also at Amazon.com in print, audio and on Kindle and it is also available at most other online and downtown bookstores.

Posted in Authorship, Book Promotion, Publishing | No Comments »

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