Those of you who live in or near Ventura County, CA, be sure to sign up for the one-day writers’ conference in Ojai on Saturday, June 4, 2011. http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com
I’ll be part of a panel on self-publishing in the afternoon. Throughout the day, you’ll be treated to writing workshops. Sign up. We’ll try to arrange for a nice day.
Tips and Quips About The Business of Writing
Here’s a revelation: You can’t be a successful book editor or published writer/author without having a business head. Many, who don’t believe this, ultimately fail. The only exception to this truth is if you hire someone you trust to handle the business end of your writing/publishing business. And then put your faith in them. If your business manager says, “Do not sign that contract unless they put their verbal promises into it,” pay attention!!! If he or she tells you that this publisher has a bad reputation or the contract is not good, listen! If you find numerous, numerous complaints about a pay-to-publish company, RUN the other way. And never sign with one until you have checked out their reputation.
Publishing is not an extension of your writing. If you’ve read this before, it is because you were reading something I wrote.
To explain the phrase above—let me say that writing is a craft and publishing is a business. You cannot successfully enter into the world of publishing using the same mindset, skills and tools as you used while writing your novel, for example.
Way too many authors emerge from their writing room one day in search of a publisher. They find one rather quickly on their first Internet search. And, many of them buy into the hype, and promptly sign on the dotted line. What’s wrong with this? It’s the totally wrong approach to the business of publishing.
Rather, I would have you first study the publishing industry. I recommend that the study begin as soon as you decide to write for publication and it should be ongoing. Secondly, write a book proposal—a business plan for your book. Publishing is a business, after all, and your book is a product.
If you would like some one-on-one help writing that book proposal, please sign up for my online book proposal course this week! http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm
Need your book edited? If you have completed a book for publication, the answer is YES! Contact me for a free quote. PLFry620@yahoo.com.