What are your publishing assumptions? Until you spend some time within the publishing realm, studying the industry and how it works and listening to those who have gone before you, there are certain things that you will probably assume to be true.
I consider myself a bubble burster. I go around bursting bubbles for hopeful authors who believe the following:
*All I have to do is create a magnificent manuscript and publishers will come knocking at my door.
*Once published, the publisher will promote my book. All I have to do is concentrate on writing my sequel.
*If I decide to go with a fee-based POD “self-publishing†company, I can pay them to promote my book. They have some wonderful programs featuring sending out press releases, etc. And if I give them an additional $800, my book becomes returnable and they will place it in every major bookstore in the nation.
*If I self-publish (establish my own publishing company), all I have to do is a 6 or 8 month blast of promotion and my book will keep selling for evermore.
Here I come with my bubble popping needle. The truth is that no matter which publishing option you choose (and believe me, you do have options), you—the author—are responsible for promoting your book. And you are the best person to promote your book, by the way. No one else really cares as much about your book as you do. Isn’t that right? No one else has that intimate connection with your book.
Here’s another tidbit that many authors don’t want to hear: Your book will sell only for as long as you are willing to promote it. Stop promoting it and sales will likely diminish.
You’ve heard (read) me talk about the enormous competition for authors and publishers. It has come to the point where we must scramble for every sale. Of course, you have options when it comes to promoting your book, too. There are bold promotional activities and some designed for the bashful promoter (you’ll find articles posted at my website for all types of authors). You can hire a publicist—but expect to be kept very busy traveling around and talking about your book. Or you can sit back and complain that no one will buy your book. It’s all up to you.
Authorship is more than coming up with a book idea and then putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. It involves a commitment to the business side of publishing and this is true whether you are seeking publication by a traditional royalty publisher, decide to self-publish (establish your own company) or go with a fee-based POD “self-publishing†service.
If you are thinking about writing a book, consider the type of promotional activities you will pursue. If you already have a published book, hat type of promotional activities are you going to pursue this week?
For more on this and many other topics related to writing, publishing and promoting your book, visit my website: http://www.matilijapress.com Read some of the articles I’ve posted there.
Read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book—no one I have spoken with after reading this book has regretted spending time with it. You won’t, either. And no one wants to loan this book out because they want it at hand at all times to reference http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html