What are you willing to do toward your success as an author? Will you draw the line at promoting your own book? Will you choose not to learn something about how the publishing industry works? Will you balk at writing a book proposal?
I meet hopeful authors every week who are so attached to their expectations with regard to the publishing process that they are unwilling to bend on behalf of their projects. These wannabe authors want to succeed in publishing, but they don’t want to pay their dues. They say, “I can’t possibly change a twenty-year habit of leaving two spaces after the period.” Or “Sure my writing is a bit rusty, but I can’t afford to hire an editor.” Or “I don’t have time to study about publishing—I just want to be published.”
Where will these hopeful authors end up? Well, some of them could possibly fall into a sweet deal with a major publisher who sells millions of copies of their book. This is a lovely fantasy. It could happen, but it’s not likely. Most of these authors, who actually complete the book of their dreams and find a way to get them published, will lose money and stop dreaming.
If you’re growing weary of hearing (or reading) me tell you to study the publishing industry and to write a book proposal BEFORE writing the book, then good for you. That means you are reading this blog and you are reading my book—which I wrote for you, by the way—and you are attending my lectures.
Don’t turn away. Don’t disregard my (and other professionals’) advice. Pay attention to our important message. Start this week making the changes and the choices that will put you in a better position with regard to publishing success and professionalism as an author. What do I suggest?
• Write everything this week using just one space after all punctuation. (If you wonder why, contact me and we’ll discuss it: plfry620@yahoo.com)
• Start NOW studying the publishing industry. Join organizations such as SPAWN, SPAN and IBPA (formerly PMA). Read every word in their newsletters, study the articles and other information on their websites. Subscribe to other newsletters and magazines related to publishing. And read good books by respected professionals such as Patricia Fry, Dan Poynter, Brian Jud and Marilyn Ross. Learn everything you can about your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author.
• Stop writing and start working on your book proposal. For more information about how to write a book proposal, read chapters 4-7 in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book or read How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less. http://www.matilijapress.com
• Hire a good editor before sending your manuscript to an agent or publisher and before self-publishing.
There’s no such thing as just one right way to write, publish and sell a book. You need to make the best choices based on your particular book. But there is a right way to prepare for your publishing success and that’s the message I bring you today.