Writing and Publishing News from

August 27, 2011

Why a Publisher Now?

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 5:35 am

Many hopeful authors start their search for a publisher after they have finished writing their novel, nonfiction book or children’s book. What’s wrong with this approach? A couple of things:

• Too many authors lack knowledge about how to locate publishers and appropriately approach them. So they are rejected by a series of publishers who are wrong for their projects and get quickly discouraged.

• Unaware authors tend to put all of their hopes and dreams into one of the major publishers even though their book isn’t exactly bestseller material.

• Too many authors are in such a hurry to get their book published after spending so many months/years working on it that they may miss out on some good opportunities. When they don’t land a publishing contract after the first few tries, they decide to go with a pay-to-publish company.

• When an author does find a publisher or an agent who is interested in his or her project, they often require some major changes to the manuscript before they will represent or publish the book.

I suggest that authors study the publishing industry and their options before they start writing the book or at least when they are in the beginning stages of planning or writing it. Truly recognize what each publisher produces and develop a realistic understanding of how your particular book will fit into the scheme of things. A publisher of several blockbuster mysteries by name authors is probably not going to be interested in your first children’s counting book. Your recovery memoir will probably not spark the interest of a major publisher if you are virtually unknown. And this is a difficult concept for most authors to grasp.

There are hundreds of small and medium-size traditional royalty publishers hungry for a good book. And I think it is important for new authors to seriously consider some of them for their projects.

Sure, if you really believe that your book could make the big time, go ahead and send your crisp, clean, highly professional query letter to appropriate literary agents in hopes of landing your choice of major publishers. If your manuscript is not accepted, do not give up. It may take months or years to work your way through the process with your agent. And this is often where the author makes his biggest mistake—he gets impatient and signs up with the first company who promises to publish the book.

Here’s what I recommend.

• Study the publishing industry even before writing the book—or at least early in the writing process.

• Choose a couple of publishers that seem exactly right for your project. This might be a university publisher, a regional publisher, a specialty publisher or simply a new publisher seeking good works. Be realistic! Don’t make the leap to the major publishers if your book is not actually bestseller material.

• Write with this publisher in mind. This could be very important. If the publisher produces books suitable to elementary school curriculum, make sure that your book follows suit. If they publish recovery books with a how-to element, write yours in that vein. If the publisher’s catalog focuses mostly on mystery novels, you’d better have a strong mystery focus in your novel.

Authorship is more than just writing the book that you want and carrying high hopes of getting an agent who will get you a contract with a major. Authorship means being well-educated and well-informed as to the workings of the publishing industry, truly understanding your options and realistically making your choices. And the earlier you start this process, the better.

If it turns out that you get that lusted after contract, SUPER! But I want you to have a backup plan and, along with it, a huge helping of patience. This can’t come about if you refuse to educate yourself about the publishing industry, your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author.

For those of you new to the world of publishing, here’s something you should know. Writing a book is a huge undertaking, but it is nothing compared to the task of finding and working with an appropriate publisher. If you make it far enough to get published, you’ll soon discover that your work is just beginning. What comes next is hugely time-consuming, energy-draining and on-going for as long as you want your book to sell. What comes next? Book promotion and this is up to you—the author—whether you self-publish, go with a pay-to-publish company or sign with a traditional publisher.

You will be doing yourself a favor by purchasing my latest book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. (Allworth Press). Order your copy at Amazon. Read all of the five-star reviews posted already at the book page. http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

If you are completely new to the world of writing to be published, the book for you is, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. It’s discounted at my website now. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

This book provides the education you need in order to successfully navigate the hugely competitive publishing industry.

August 20, 2011

How to Make Money as an Author

Filed under: Authorship,Book Promotion — Patricia @ 5:04 am

The early stages of book promotion can be exhilarating. How, you might ask? Because, if you’re doing your homework—if you’re spreading the word far and wide about your book—you receive nice little (and big) gifts throughout your days. You get a review here, a mention there, invitations to speak and all sorts of recognition. Friends, colleagues and even strangers will comment about your book at their blog sites and other social media. You’re invited to post at appropriate blog sites and submit articles to newsletters. And if there is an article in your hometown newspaper featuring you and your book, you’ll receive attention from locals. And book sales may soar… at first.

It’s fun and exciting. But this, too, will pass. What does that mean? It means that your book will sell and the attention last only for as long as you are making it happen. Stop promoting and go back to your writing desk and everything positive surrounding your new book will cease to exist. You will become another working writer and your book will begin to stagnate.

So how can you keep your new book alive? What can you do to encourage sales now and in the future? Treat your book as if it is always just a week old. Promote with the kind of enthusiasm you had in the beginning. And treat your potential audience as if they have never heard of your book before, because many of them haven’t—or they’ve forgotten about the book until they see it a second, third or tenth time.

Just as you must continue writing until the book is completed, you must continue promoting your book until you have sold the number of books you hope to sell. For most authors there is no ending number. You want your novel to forever entertain readers. You hope that your children’s book will live among the classics for generations. And you dream of your business, informational or how-to book helping people for years to come. If your book is evergreen and if you are clear on who your audience is and if you promote, promote, promote, this certainly can happen.

If you need some promotional ideas and guidance in how to promote your book and keep the interest going, read my latest book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for Enterprising Authors (Allworth Press, 2011). Order your copy at Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

Here are comments from readers:

“It’s got a little something for everyone, from the nouveau author to the seasoned professional.”

“This book is a must have for anyone with a book or about to have a book.”

“It doesn’t matter if you write fiction or nonfiction as the tips listed within can be adapted for virtually any genre.”

“You will find a treasure trove of tips in Promote Your Book that will help you market your own book on a shoestring budget.”

“I predict that this book will become the bible for authors advancing their books into the marketplace.”

“I found myself making notes while reading so that I could fully utilize these ideas for my recently released mystery novel.”

“Best I have seen and I have read dozens.”

Learn more about Patricia Fry and her books here:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

August 18, 2011

The Author’s Comfort Zone: Will you Settle or Grow?

Filed under: Authorship,Book Promotion — Patricia @ 5:34 am

Are you a silent author? Do you have a published book that isn’t selling very well? Maybe it’s because you aren’t talking about it. If you are timid about jumping into the limelight—you would rather not have to actively promote your book—then you really can’t expect to make many sales. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.

I’ve been involved in the publishing industry for a long time. And I’ve met many different types of authors. While some of you are amazingly creative and energetic marketers, others simply despise the idea of promotion. That’s why, when I wrote my book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author,” I included a section telling how to promote your book without changing your lifestyle too much. I’ve outlined book promotion ideas you can pursue without stepping too far outside your comfort zone.

Here are a few that might appeal to you:
• Create amazing promotional material from home and send it out via regular mail and email to everyone you know. I know one author who slips her promo material in with her bills when she pays them. She even uses those paid return envelopes to promote her books. Does it pay off? She says the definitely gets an order from time to time using this method.

• Get your book into catalogs. You can create your own catalog of books, enter your book into catalogs produced by your publisher and/or your authors’ organizations and seek out catalogs related to the theme of your book. Here are a couple of mail order catalog directory sites. http://www.catalogs.com and http://www.catalogcentral.com

• Engage in piggyback marketing. Find an author with a book that compliments yours. When you send out a book order, include their promotional material and ask them to include yours with their shipments.

• Bundle your book. Arrange with another author to purchase a carton of their books at a discounted rate to sell along with your book at a special purchase price. Advertise the “book bundle” opportunity at your website. You might offer compatible books that would normally sell at $39.95 total for $32.00, for example.

• Locate appropriate blogsites and volunteer to be a guest blogger or to participate in an online interview. Your blog or your interview would appear at the blog site along with information about your book.

While I strongly urge authors to become assertively proactive when it comes to promoting their books, I realize that there are people who just don’t have it in them to do so. To those of you who can’t mentally or physically promote your books in any sort of big way, I suggest that you lower your expectations. You probably won’t experience anything but the pleasure of authorship and only mild success. If you want more, you will have to grow enormously and expand on your skills and abilities.

If you fear the very thought of speaking in public or even talking to a coworker about your book, you really ought to take steps to overcome this obstacle. Join a Toastmasters Club near you, for example. http://www.toastmasters.org and then practice, practice, practice. You’ll achieve much more in authorship as well as in life if you are willing to step outside your comfort zone.

If you have a book in the works or you are struggling to promote one, be sure to order my latest book. It has 12 five-star reviews at Amazon.com. “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.” http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

August 17, 2011

It Takes a Village to Build a Good Book

Filed under: Authorship,Writing — Patricia @ 5:02 am

As most of you know, I work with clients on their book projects. I edit and do some consulting work. I teach several online courses: on writing a book proposal, book promotion, self-publishing, establishing your platform and others. I also field questions throughout my work week from hopeful, struggling and some pretty savvy authors as the executive director of SPAWN and as an experienced professional.

Earlier this week, after I responded to a couple of questions with regard to a client’s book in progress, she wrote back saying how much she appreciated my advice and guidance. She said she just couldn’t have accomplished as much as she has without my help. That’s when I responded by saying that it takes a village to build a good book.

I thought about this statement and realized how very true it is. An astute, aware author can learn so much, gain incredible insight and benefit from the experiences and wisdom of others if only he or she will reach out.

This morning, again, I suggested to a new author that she join a writers club and start attending their critique group in order to learn how to strengthen her writing and appropriately focus her book. A good critique group can do wonders for a writer who doesn’t yet have a handle on how to adequately (or eloquently) communicate through the written word. For some, eloquence comes naturally. For others, simple communication is a struggle.

But who should you listen to? How do you locate a suitable critique group? How do you know when they are pointing you in the right direction?

Sure everyone has an opinion and not all of them are useful. That’s where intuition (that gut feeling) comes in. If the critique makes sense to you—if your writing is better when you apply certain techniques or rules—then probably you are on the right track with this suggestion. If you’re still confused after someone helps you with a paragraph or a chapter, if members of the group do not agree with the advice, if it just doesn’t feel right, perhaps the suggestion isn’t valid.

And it depends on who the guidance comes from. I’m working with a client as we speak—trying to get him to change the title and cover of his pending book. From my point of view, which is enforced by years of publishing and book marketing experience, his title and his cover design are all wrong. Yet he has been attached to the title and the concept since even before he began writing the book. I’ve tried to persuade him to give up his cover idea a couple of times before. Now that I see the reality of his vision, I am even more adamant that he reconsider. It’s a case where the book cover and the content are at odds with one another. The cover, in my opinion, speaks to a different audience than the book, itself, does. Not a good marketing move.

The author is still thinking about my advice.

This author has accepted my suggestions on many points. He has also solicited feedback from other members of the “village” by sending sections of his book to appropriate medical professionals. And he is listening to them with an open mind and incorporating their expertise into this book in order to benefit his readers.

A lot of authors bring others into their books before making any solid publishing decisions. What do I suggest to authors? What sort of feedback do I recommend?

For Nonfiction:
• Ask key people in your industry or field to fact-check your text.
• Request additional resources.
• Brainstorm your title/subtitle with colleagues/friends.
• Show your cover design around and listen to the feedback.

For Fiction:
• Ask members of your audience to test read your book.
• Ask a few experts to fact-check your historical data, etc.
• Discuss your cover design with artists, authors and publishers.

For a Children’s Book:
• Invite children’s librarians and educators to examine your book for age appropriateness.
• Ask an expert within the subject matter to review it—animal behavior, dental health, ecology, child psychology, etc.
• Read it to children and observe their reactions.

As an author, you have many things to think about. Take the extra step before you publish or even before you write your book and get some peer and experienced feedback. Use what you learn to make your book the best that it can be.

http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

August 12, 2011

Hey Authors, Do You Neglect Your Audience?

Filed under: Authorship — Patricia @ 5:51 am

I told you that I would be speaking at an assisted living facility yesterday and that I was a little concerned about being able to connect with this audience. This was not my typical audience and I was having trouble coming to terms with how to entertain/inform them.

Well, guess what? The audience was wonderful. There were about fifteen or twenty people in attendance and they were quite attentive. They were also eager to be involved. They participated when I asked questions or asked for feedback of some kind. And several of them had good questions, as well. Very nice experience.

So what is the key to turning a potentially tough presentation into a wonderful experience? Heck, darned if I know. But I feel that mindset is a large part of it. Before I walked up to the podium, I quieted myself and imagined being guided in presenting this talk. I chose to look at the audience as friends who were interested in what I had to say. I watched the audience response and shifted my presentation accordingly in order to hold their interest.

Just as you would do when writing a book—any book—I considered my audience throughout the program.

Have you ever watched a speaker who obviously has his or her own agenda and seems to have completely shut the audience out while they drone on and on? Some authors do this while writing their books, as well. They have a story to tell or a perspective to sell and that is what they focus on throughout the writing process.

What is the result of this author mentality? Readers feel little or no connection to your story or your instructional book, for example. A book written expressly to massage the author’s ego or to fulfill an author’s need to share, may not resonate with his or her proposed readers at all.

What are some of the clues indicating that the author has not considered his audience?

• The manuscript (or book) lacks clarity in places. The author neglects to speak to his audience—but rather just puts his thoughts and ideas down in a rather haphazard manner. He knows what his intention is and he doesn’t consider whether or not readers can follow his instructions or his story.

• The book is not well-organized.

• The book is not particularly useful or entertaining.

• The book is missing elements that a reader would need in order to understand or enjoy it.

• The author seems to be “speaking” to a very narrow segment of readers and most cannot relate to the material.

• He includes material that seems irrelevant to the story or informational book and/or he does a lot of ranting.

When you stand up and speak before a group or sit down to write for publication, it is your job—your responsibility—to consider your audience first.

You know how I like to give assignments. Your assignment today is to read what you’ve been writing lately as if you are a member of your audience. Determine whether or not you are actually addressing your audience. Or are you writing for yourself?

You know, I sometimes suggest to authors who have a gripe, who want to change minds and hearts, who are determined to tell their stories their way, that they write a first draft just the way they want to. Write the rants into it—the anger, personal anguish and gripes, the blame, the fancy words that create meaningless phrases… Then throw that version away. If you still believe it is something that would entertain, inform or assist a large group of readers, then write it anew—sans the personal baggage.

For more about me, my work and my books, visit my websites:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

August 11, 2011

An Author’s Challenges

Filed under: Authorship — Patricia @ 4:03 am

I’m off to meet another challenge. I seem to be accepting more and more of them, at an age when most of my peers are retired and relaxing.

Today, I’ll be speaking to a group of non-writers on a subject unrelated to writing/publishing. Outside my comfort zone, for sure.

So what do you do when people know you speak and they want to book you to speak to their group, but their group isn’t interested in your typical topic? I guess you either decline or you come up with a related topic—something along the same lines, perhaps—something that you know.

In my situation, first I accepted the challenge—I mean the invitation. (It involves a free lunch and some girl talk, after all.) Then I began thinking about my topic. Finally, yesterday, while I was out walking, it occurred to me. These people aren’t writers, but many of them are surely readers (or have been at some point in their lives). So I decided to talk about books and what goes into them.

What does go into a book? In most cases, a lot of emotion. And that is my planned topic for today. With this topic, I am staying within a fairly safe zone—something I know well. My challenge now will be to give a presentation that is both organized and interesting. Sure, I have notes and I’ve gone over them a few times. I’ve also given some thought to my way of presenting. But one never knows how receptive the crowd will be. Many a speech has changed in mid-stream in order to appropriately engage an audience.

My audience today will consist of folks residing in an assisted living facility. I’m told that while there are a few who are cognizant, most only wander down to sit in on presentations because their family doesn’t want them spending too much time in their rooms. A few will take a nap while I’m speaking. There may be little feedback by way of facial expressions and heads-nodding in agreement. I understand that these people particularly do not like to participate—so I’m told not to ask questions or try to involve them in anyway.

Sounds like tough crowd to me. Perhaps my most challenging, yet. But, remember, there is a lunch plate in it for me and a visit with long-time girlfriends. And, who knows, my effort just might make someone smile or think or consider knew possibilities. It would be wonderful if my talk would inspire even one person to start documenting his family history or go back to writing poetry. Maybe someone in the group will launch a facility newsletter for residents.

I’ve learned over the years that one never knows how and when they might impact another human being. When we choose not to reach out for fear of ridicule or failure, we may be missing an opportunity to make a difference in our own lives and for someone else.

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

August 8, 2011

How to Establish Your Very Own Author’s Platform

Filed under: Authorship — Patricia @ 5:27 am

I talk a lot about the author’s “platform.” I tell hopeful authors that they need to start building a platform or adding to the platform they have already established before approaching a publisher or before self-publishing.

Your platform is your following—your way of attracting readers. Your platform might involve your connections and or your history and expertise in your topic or genre, for example. I’ve heard some professionals say that your platform is not who you know, but who knows you. Are you well-known? Are you attempting to become more well-known?

Perhaps you’ve been writing articles for many magazines within your industry over the years. Because of this, you are already known to members of your audience. Maybe you have had numerous science fiction stories published in a dozen or so literary and science fiction magazines and websites. You might have quite a following of readers who like your work. Perhaps you are director of an organization related to the theme of your book, you have participated in a large project associated with the theme of your book. Some of you have been involved in the topic of your book all of your life, through your career, hobby or life circumstances. This is part of your platform.

There are numerous ways to build a platform and you should work on this even before your book is a book. Here are some ideas:

• If you are writing a guide for realtors, start now becoming known within the world of real estate. Interview some of the top officials in the industry and quote them in the book. Give workshops for realtors in major cities.

• If you are writing a historical novel, you may want to submit stories to appropriate magazines, newsletters and websites in an attempt to establish a following. Once the book comes out, you can, perhaps, get the editors of these publications and sites to review your book. Those who have read and enjoyed your stories will likely be interested in purchasing your book.

• Get involved in historical aspects of the community you’ll be writing about. Someone who is on the preservation commission in the city where the story takes place might entice more readers than an author no one has heard of.

• Devote your blog to aspects of your story and quips about how the story is progressing and where the research is taking you.

• Involve your audience through your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Ask for information or ideas for character names, for example. Don’t you know that people will be more eager to read a book they actually helped write?

• If you have a character with an affliction, a horse, a brain injury or an addiction, begin addressing people within these areas—post to blogs related to horses or brain injuries, become involved with appropriate websites, connect with key leaders in these areas as they might be interested in helping to promote your book.

Okay, so what do you do with your “platform” once you have developed it? For one thing, you keep adding to it. And you flaunt it every chance you get. In your promo for the book, let people know that you’ve been writing stories in this genre for twenty-five years, that you are a member of the board of realtors and you’ve sold 1,000 properties in your career or that you are active in an addiction recovery program.

If you plan to land a traditional publisher for your book, he will be interested in your platform.

I had a new author ask me over the weekend, “How does the publisher find out about your platform?”

You are going to tell him all about it. This is part of your sales pitch for your book. You might include information about your platform (your qualifications for writing this book and your way of attracting readers) in your query letter—certainly in your book proposal.

Do you have a platform? Are you working to build one? If you need help adding to or establishing your platform, consider taking my online Platform-Building course:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_platform.htm

August 7, 2011

Authors Who Fail May Be in Denial

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 4:54 am

We’re back from the Kern Festival of Writers. It was quite a nice day in the high desert and I ran into several authors I know from other author events. It was fun to catch up with them. Attendance was low, but there were enough hopeful and new authors there with questions to keep me busy, and some of them bought books.

I’d like to share a typical scenario that occurs at these events and yesterday was no exception.

A hopeful author will ask how they should go about getting published. What they want to hear is something like this, “Send your manuscript to Such and Such a publisher on Thursday of next week and he will promptly issue you a publishing contract.”

What I have to tell them is, “First you must study the publishing industry so you know something about this business you are about to enter into. Before getting involved, it is important that you know what your options are, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author.”

And what they hear is, “There is no way you are going to get your manuscript published. You don’t have a chance in h— of landing a publisher.”

Some of them hear, “Go ahead with your original idea to pay a company to produce your book. If it’s a really good book, you’ll have no problem selling truckloads of copies.”

While some authors are absolutely eager to learn the right way to approach publishing and they are all ears when it comes to the concept of book promotion, others are in seriously deep denial. They see other authors succeed. It looks easy. Obviously (to them) it is just a matter of somehow getting your book published and then you’re on your way toward financial success and personal satisfaction.

So what is the “right way” to approach publishing?

Before deciding to write your book:

1: Begin studying the publishing industry. Read my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” This is the best book I know of for gaining insight into and understanding the world of publishing today. At this point, you don’t need to know how to get your book at Amazon or how to spend your royalties. Right now, you need to learn how to navigate the fiercely competitive publishing arena, what your options are and which one is actually best for your book and for you. This book will save you more money and heartache than you can even imagine. This book is discounted at my website now:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

2: Start building on your platform. Your platform is your following, your way of attracting your audience, your connections. (More about your platform in Monday’s blog.)

3: Accept the reality of your level of responsibility as a published author. The author is responsible for promoting his or her book no matter which publishing option he or she chooses.

If you are planning a book or you have one to sell, order my new book today: “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.”
http://amzn.to/oe56Ia

Check out all of the 5-star reviews at Amazon.

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

August 3, 2011

How to Work Successfully With an Illustrator

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 5:33 am

I’m often asked if I can recommend an illustrator. Children’s authors, in particular, need to connect with a good illustrator, especially if they plan to self-publish (establish their own publishing company) or go with a pay-to-publish company.

While some traditional publishers will purchase the entire illustrated children’s book package, many prefer to hire their own illustrators. In these cases, hiring an illustrator might be a waste of your money. This is something that should be considered early on.

I want to talk to you today about choosing the appropriate illustrator. Of course, you want to work with an artist who can do the type of illustrations you want. There are practically as many types of artwork as there are artists and not every style is suitable for every project. So when you are exploring artists, you’ll want to study their websites, which should be a showcase of their work, to discover if they can handle the simplistic or intricate, fanciful or realistic type of illustrations you desire, for example.

But you also want to work with someone who has a good work ethic. It’s not easy to find a good artist who is also reliable—someone who can meet deadlines, for example. That’s why I recommend choosing an artist who has already established a business around his or her art. What are the signs that an artist may to be dependable?

• He or she comes highly recommended by another author. Ask the author if the artist followed through in the manner and within the time that was agreed upon.

• They respond to your forum or discussion group post for an illustrator. This indicates that the artist is proactive and possibly has a business head as well as an artistic heart.

• The illustrator has samples they can show you.

• The illustrator has created a business around his or her art and can offer references.

I know many good illustrators. But I would recommend only a handful of them to authors.

Some of our SPAWN members are artists. SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) was started by Mary Embree in 1996 as a face-to-face networking organization for anyone involved in publishing. She envisioned authors coming together with artists and meeting printers, editors, publicists, agents, publishers, screenwriters and others for the purpose of collaboration. SPAWN meetings also provided opportunities for authors to connect and learn from one another. Not much has changed over the years, except that we no longer meet in person. SPAWN is international and we connect online in many ways.

We continue to learn from one another, support one another and there is still collaboration going on. If you are an author seeking an illustrator, publisher, moral support, answers to questions about the industry…or if you are an artist looking for work, check out what we offer at SPAWN. http://www.spawn.org

Learn more about me and my work here:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

Remember, the first 25 people who order my new book from me get a free copy of “Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book.” Order the new book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author” today: http://www.matilijapress.com/promoteyourbook.html

August 2, 2011

The Author’s Frustrations

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing — Patricia @ 4:29 am

Do you sometimes become frustrated by the whole process of writing and publishing a book? Sure you do. It’s frustrating when you get stumped or stopped while trying to flesh out your characters, write a particular scene or locate the information you want to include in your book. It’s frustrating when you can’t decide which publishing option to choose. You feel nothing but frustration when you put your heart and soul into promoting your book and sales continue to slip.

I feel your pain. And so do hundreds of other new and seasoned authors. You believe you are giving your all, yet the return on your efforts is so stinking minimal. You’ve done everything right—so where’s the reward?

I received an email from an author today who is frustrated because she can’t get her foot in the door of an agent, let alone a publisher. I’m sure that many of you can relate to this dilemma. As writers, we take great pride in our work. We produce the best darn story we can, the most amazing children’s book or the most important informational book and no one seems to care.

Ever feel this way? I’m sure that the fashion designer, hair stylist, artist (definitely the artist), landscaper, builder and jeweler all experience the same pain when their work is ignored or even rejected. When you put so much of yourself into a project, having it overlooked, disregarded or rejected hurts. It cuts deeply—replacing that sense of joy you experienced during creation with raw wounds.

Yet, as writers, we continually put ourselves out there in hopes of receiving something positive. And it is those positive comments and reactions that keep us going.

Are you frustrated with your writing/publishing project? If you are ready to work with a publisher or an agent, but you can’t get a foot in the door. I suggest backing off for a little while. Maybe your project isn’t quite ready to meet a publisher. Does it need professional editing? Contact me for a free evaluation and estimate. PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about me and my work: http://www.patriciafry.com

Perhaps you haven’t spent enough time studying the publishing industry. You really don’t understand your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibility as a published author. Study my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html (It’s currently discounted.)

Way too many hopeful authors are so focused on publishing with the major publishers that they can’t see the vast opportunities before them. I have to tell you, not all books are major publisher material. But there are hundreds of publishers out there seeking good projects that will make them some money and they would rather work without agent representation. You really need to check them out.

Maybe you are trying to promote your book and things aren’t going well. Book promotion is very hard work. Not only is the competition fierce, but marketing is a whole other business that some people train hard to enter into. The average Joe and Molly are usually prepared for what it takes to successfully promote a book. To learn more about book promotion, how to devise a marketing plan and so much more, read my latest book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.”
http://www.matilijapress.com/promoteyourbook.html

If you want to connect with other authors—both beginner and seasoned—join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org

The one thing you should NOT do is keep doing what isn’t working for you. What should you do?

• Educate yourself.
• If you believe in your project, invest in it.
• View your book from a practical not emotional place.

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

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