Writing and Publishing News from

January 27, 2008

Last Day of SDSU Writers’ Conference

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 6:48 am

I did 3 workshops yesterday and attended 3 big networking events. Today, I’m presenting 2 more workshops and I have 2 consultations scheduled with individuals. There’s a lot of networking that goes on at events like this, or there should be. I keep hearing from attendees that it’s intimidating. Some say their heads are swimming with information and they don’t know if they’ll ever sort it all out. By the end of the day yesterday, most attendees were on overload. Some are confused by what seems to be contradictory advice.

I am having a great time chatting with faculty, agents, editors from Grand Central Publishing (Warner), Morrow, etc and, of course, attendees who have come from all over the U.S. One woman came from Paris. When asked if anyone came from farther away than Paris, one hopeful author raised her hand and said, “Cleveland, Ohio.” Maybe she thought the French woman was referring to Perris, California.

It’s a great group of people. Some of the attendees have what sound like marvelous book ideas or books in the works. And some of them will experience the success they desire. All of them will experience a level of success equal to their efforts and their open-mindedness and their ability to make the right choices. What a hopeful author must understand is that the right choice for one author might not be the right choice for him or her.

Presenters frequently receive a common question from conference attendees: “Should I seek an agent or a publisher or should I ‘self-publish’ my book?” I hear others tell hopeful authors the same thing I tell them: “It depends on you and it depends on your book.”

Some people attend writers’ conferences seeking absolutes. But they rarely receive them. Instead, they are given the information, the options, the tools and the resources to make intelligent decisions on behalf of their projects. We arm them with the knowledge they need, if only they will use it responsibility, sensibly, thoughtfully.

We presenters really work for our keep at conferences such as this. But a conference is an equally trying experience for attendees. They have an enormous amount of information and material coming at them. They must listen with an open mind and eventually sort through it all in order to discover the truths that will help them to take their particular project to the limits. What does this mean to an attendee?

· He may realize that he must rewrite his manuscript in order to attract a wider audience.
· He might see the wisdom in writing a book proposal NOW.
· Perhaps she will realize she must start building a platform.
· Maybe she’ll decide that self-publishing is not for her.

What happens at a writers’ conference and the decisions the attendee ultimately makes could very well mean the difference between failure or mediocre to even wild success. And it’s all up to the attendee. The opportunities are definitely there. It’s just a matter of who’s listening and who will actually recognize and act upon the gifts they receive.

January 26, 2008

Writers’ Conference Mania

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 4:38 pm

Excitement is in the air. Hundreds of writers and hopeful authors are buzzing around the Double Tree Hotel in Mission Valley, California eager to improve their writing and their chances for publication. We drove out of the rain south toward sunny San Diego County yesterday. I mingled with the writers who had arrived by evening to attend the SD State University Writers’ Conference. It wasn’t a full house in the grand ballroom and I heard this was because storms across the country had grounded many planes and made land travel difficult. I’m hoping for 20 to 30 in my workshops today so I can hand out all of the handouts I’ve prepared.

I’m thankful to learn that they have scheduled my 5 workshops with nice breaks in between. Except for the last two sessions, I have an hour or more between them.

This means I can take advantage of the wisdom of Dan Poynter (on self-publishing), Penny Sansevieri (on marketing), Jeniffer Thompson (on web design for authors) and maybe attend a panel of agents.

So far I’ve learned from attendees that they are doing multiple writing projects. One husband and wife team from Arizona have 9 manuscripts ready to go and no idea what to do next. They write in several genres—thriller, romance, historical fiction… They came here for direction, guidance and probably a large dose of encouragement.

Another woman told me about the nonfiction manuscript she’s working on and the many articles she writes for free. She hopes to discover how to earn a living through her writing.

One woman came by to show me her newly published book. She said, “I had an email conversation with you last year. We talked about my book. Well, here it is.” It is a POD publishing company produced book. At first glance, I was put off by the margin space. I tell people to get over their obsession with concerns over margin size, etc. But I also advise that they keep the reader (whether a publisher or consumer) in mind when they put their manuscript or book together. We like to see space around the text on a page, but not too much space. Please, especially when you’re preparing your book for publication, know what you are doing. Learn how to work in an appropriate page layout program or hire someone who can use Adobe Page Maker, Quarks Press, etc. Look at the layout of other books. Think about the reader.

And I met a man who told me about his fiction thriller story. I questioned the term “thriller” for the story he described. He said, “Oh yes, it’s a thriller. I’m not sure I would have been thrilled while reading it. One description of “thriller” is whether or not it “thrills.”

The definition between genres has muddied so much in recent years, that it seems one element included in the book can make the difference—one reference or scene. Choosing your book’s genre appropriately can be quite a challenge in today’s crazy publishing industry.

I’m looking forward to a busy and satisfying day with folks who want to know more about article writing. I hope to provide just what they want and need—guidance, a little hand-holding, a reality check, but also lots of encouragement.

If you’d like to talk to me about your writing project, contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com. Sign up for one of my courses at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

January 23, 2008

How to Use Your Publishing Reference Books

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 5:40 am

Most writers and authors know something about research—we all have to do it in the course of writing a nonfiction article, book, novel and even, sometimes a poem. But how many of you use—I mean really use—the great reference books you buy to help you write better or navigate the publishing industry?

You order the book and are excited when you receive it. You sit down and scan the book. You may study the parts of it that apply to your situation at the moment or you read the entire book. But then it goes on the shelf with your other reference books, never to be opened again.

I know that some of you do this, because many of you who have purchased my book will come to me with questions that are clearly answered in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

Someone will email me and ask, “What’s the difference between self-publishing and getting the book printed myself?” I’ll answer them, of course, but also refer to Chapters 2, 3 and 10.

I was asked recently, “How can I make sure to have a successful book signing” I referred this client to pages 223-238.

When a customer asks, “What’s a press release—how do I write one?” I refer them to the samples on pages 251-253 of the 2007 edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

Someone contacted me this week with questions about distributors and wholesalers (Chapter 11). She wanted to know which distributors to contact. I suggested that she search the directories listed in the Resource Section—page 308.

And you can’t even imagine how often I am asked, “How do I find an agent for my book?” I’ll tell them to go to the Association of Author’s Agents website and peruse the directory there: http://www.aar-online.org (Page 302—in the Resources Section in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, as well as 135 in the text of the book.)

Learn how to choose a title for your fiction (Pages 69-70), understand genres (27-28), build promotion into your fiction (57) and write a book proposal for fiction (61-62).

If you own The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book (or any other good reference book) and you have a question related to the book subject, open the book, scan the Index (the last pages in the book—they’re alphabetical), find a reference to the topic and the page number and then go to that page. If you still have questions, contact me.

One customer contacted me several months ago with a question. He wanted to send his completed manuscript to a publisher and asked me if it was okay. I asked if he had checked the publisher’s Submission Guidelines. He said, “Yes, they suggest sending a book proposal, but I don’t have a book proposal, can I just send the manuscript?” I explained the importance of complying with publisher guidelines. He wrote back and said, “But I don’t want to take the time to write the proposal now—if this publisher turns me down, then maybe I’ll write a proposal, but I want to know if you think it’s okay to send the complete manuscript?” I told him again that it is risky and I would not recommend it—that he might mess up his chances of a contract by neglecting to comply with the publisher’s guidelines. He wrote back again with the same question reframed. He didn’t want my honest answer. He wanted me to tell him what he wanted to hear. He wanted permission to send the complete manuscript.

I told him that it was ultimately up to him, but that I did not think he was making a good business decision. I recommended that he read Chapter Four in my book along with pages 138-140 to be reminded about the importance of complying with publisher guidelines.

Don’t let your reference books collect dust while you struggle to understand and navigate the publishing industry. If you own The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and you have a writing, publishing or book marketing question, the answer is most likely right there at your fingertips.

If you don’t have a copy, yet, order yours at: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html And be sure to order The Author’s Workbook, too.

January 22, 2008

Tuesday–A Good Day for Authors

Filed under: Book Promotion,Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 6:44 am

Yesterday was deemed the worst, most depressing day of the year. Evidently, it happens every year—this worst day. I’ve never noticed it before. Sure, I have bad days—we all do, but I didn’t know that there was one particular day set aside as the worst of the worst.

This is good news, don’t you think? This means that the worst is over. Today, tomorrow and the rest of the year will be better than yesterday for authors, freelance writers, independent publishers—all of us.

So why was yesterday so bad? For some, problems arose due to horrendous weather. I guess some of us are depressed because of the weather and we’re suffering buyer’s remorse after the holidays. Yeah it’s depressing to be broke, especially when the kids have already lost the item you stood in line for hours to purchase.

So the economy is bad and the weather is awful. Is there anything we can do to create a little cheer and maybe a little cash in our dismal lives? Sure there is.

If you’re a hopeful author and your book project is stalled:
• Write a book proposal. Not only will a book proposal help to jumpstart you into writing mode again, it will give your book a new life, a clear direction and a greater chance for success.
• Set firm goals. You don’t have time to write, you say? I know authors who are writing every day even though they’re holding down full-time jobs and have active lives. Yes, every single day.

I think you know my story of writing a complete book manuscript in 8 months while working full-time. I simply got up a couple of hours earlier every workday morning.

If you have a book to promote and you’ve run out of energy and ideas:
• Read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/ Also look at Brian Jud’s Beyond the Bookstore and John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. Read some of the articles on book promotion at my site: http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm
• Imagine your life a year from now. How do you want it to look like? If you see yourself a little richer and enjoying life more—maybe writing your next book—you’d better make a commitment that will facilitate that vision. Break through your fear of public speaking, for example, vow to try at least one new promotional activity per month and give it a really good go.

If you are a freelance writer who is in a temporary slump:
• Think outside the box. If you’ve been relying on Christian magazines to support your freelance writing business, try rewriting some of your articles and write new articles for publication in other types of magazines. Some freelancers limit themselves by finding a comfort zone and staying there. If you can write for the Christian market, you can write for other markets. Widen your horizons. Approach a new market each month. Your bank account will swell according to your level of effort. But you know that.
• Consider writing outside the magazine market. Some webmasters pay for copy. Companies need writers to revamp brochures and employee handbooks, write letters, ad copy or a monthly newsletter. Is a local company coming up on a significant anniversary? Contact them about writing their history.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel for authors and freelance writers, even when you’re looking through the tunnel on the most depressing day of the year. Use your imagination and the ideas above to jumpstart your book sales or your writing career.

January 20, 2008

How to Workout With a Workbook

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 7:39 am

As you know, if you’ve spent any time hanging around this blog or reading my articles, a few months ago, I produced a workbook for authors. I designed The Author’s Workbook, Your Guide to Developing a Publishing and Marketing Plan, to accompany The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book (2007 revised edition).

What is a workbook and what can it do for you?

A workbook generally presents questions and concepts that you should consider either before or while you are pursuing a new activity or project and it provides space for your thoughtful responses. A workbook lays out assignments to help you prepare for the project at hand and make good decisions. Some of you are familiar with Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, which offers a workbook element. Her book inspired and encouraged many, many would-be writers to actually start writing. One of my writing buddies became a published author after studying Cameron’s book and religiously following her lesson plan.

The Author’s Workbook may be your ticket to finally living your dream. Do you have a book idea? Have you started writing a book, but are stalled. Do you have a book completed and don’t know what to do next? Could you use some hand-holding?

The Author’s Workbook is specifically designed to:
• Help you honestly evaluate the potential for your publishing project.
• Provide the templates you need whether you choose to work with a publisher or want to establish your own publishing business.
• Prompt you to make good business decisions throughout the writing/publishing process.
• Guide you in creating your individual book promotion plan.

Based on your own thoughtful responses to the questions and worksheets in the workbook, you will be able to answer the following questions:
• Is this book truly a good idea?
• Who is the audience for this book?
• Why do I want to write this book?
• Am I a good candidate for authorship?
• How can I establish a writing schedule and make myself stick to it?
• What are my talents and skills for writing/publishing a book?
• What skills am I lacking?

You’ll use worksheets to determine:
• What do I need to do in order to build my platform?
• What is my criterion for choosing a publishing model?
• What is the best publishing choice for me and my project?

You’ll be guided in:
• Writing a synopsis, query letter and cover letter.
• Creating the About the Author section.
• Determining your target audience.
• Choosing a title for your book.
• Evaluating your competition.
• Establishing a marketing plan.
• Self-publishing your book.
• Approaching and working with traditional or POD publishers.

Order The Author’s Workbook along with The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html today and by Spring, you could conceivably have an outline for the next bestselling book.

Using The Author’s Workbook is like having someone take your hand and lead you step-by-step toward the publishing success you desire. Without this sort of guidance, your chances of writing the right book for the right audience and successfully entering and conquering the publishing arena are practically non-existent.

Questions? PLFry620@yahoo.com

January 19, 2008

The Learning Curve in Publishing

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 7:22 am

As children, we were in constant learning mode. Our minds, they say, are like sponges when we’re young. But things sure change. As adults, we do not easily and willingly embrace the learning curve.

When faced with a new lesson, our stubborn minds tend to say, “I know enough already.” “I don’t need that information.” “I’ve already paid my dues as a student; I’m going to do this my way.”

Facing the learning curve can be intimidating and even humiliating. When we ask for help or guidance, it makes us feel as though we’ve gone backward in our evolutionary path. The process of learning really strains our brains. Trying to learn something new takes effort and it can be downright frustrating. Go back to school or take a course and you’ll discover just how stressful and exhausting learning can be.

But how sweet is the education—the fruits of your efforts… How powerful you feel once you have the information, skills, training, education. How clearly you can see your way toward your goals once you have the knowledge needed to accomplish them. And this is true whether you want to grow the best watermelon around, ride a horse or publish a book.

My many hats are off to hopeful and struggling authors who visit this blog often in search of information and resources. I appreciate that you are willing to face the difficult learning curve by studying the articles and books I recommend, by checking out appropriate resources and by following the advice of professionals. And I continually reach out to those of you who stubbornly stay on your narrow path hoping to succeed in the hugely competitive world of publishing.

Stop trying to dig with a toothpick, take a hundred-mile trip on a skateboard, boil water using one match and bring a book to fruition with no knowledge of the publishing industry. Grab a sturdy shovel, buy a decent car, use that match to light a stove burner and, of course, study something about the publishing industry.

Here’s your assignment for the week:
• Visit this blog often and review my blog archives.
• Read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
• Use the Author’s Workbook. (Tomorrow’s blog will explain the benefits of using a workbook.) http://www.matilijapress.com/workbook.html
• Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org
• Contact me if you have any questions: plfry620@yahoo.com

January 15, 2008

Fiction: To Query or Not to Query

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 7:11 am

Isn’t that the question? Well, for those who want to write fiction, it eventually becomes the question. In fact, authors/freelance writers usually ask that question in a pleading manner—“I don’t have to write a query letter for fiction, do I????? Please say it isn’t so.”

I love to do my own little research studies and yesterday I did such a study related to the number of magazine editors and book publishers who require query letters for fiction. Of the 100 or so magazines I researched, about one-quarter require a query letter for fiction. The magazines were in the Literary, Women’s, General Interest, Religious and Young Adult categories.

Almost all of the agents I researched want to see a query letter first—even for fiction.

As for book publishers—I studied the guidelines for 45 of those who publish fiction. Twenty of them require a query letter first for fiction. One of them even wanted a query letter for poetry. Ten of the publishers I studied want to see the completed manuscript, 7 ask for a proposal—yes, for fiction—and 8 publishers said you can send either a query, a proposal or the complete manuscript.

It looks like you fiction writers/authors are going to have to overcome your query letter jitters. Writing a query letter really isn’t difficult. It’s just a matter of understanding the basic format for a query letter and knowing your project inside and out. (More on how to pitch your wonderful project in tomorrow’s blog.)

Maybe this will help:

For a hardcopy letter to be sent via the post office:
• Use your letterhead.
• Type the date at the top left of the page.
• Type the editor’s/publisher’s name, company/magazine name and complete address in block form under the date.

For either hardcopy or an email letter:
• Address editor/publisher by name.
• Single space.
• Use Times New Roman 12-point type.
• Try to keep your query to one page.

In the body of your letter or email:
• Make it clear that this is a query letter for a short story/fiction book project.
• Use a hook to capture the editor’s/publisher’s interest.
• Briefly describe your story and why you feel it is of value to the readers or would fit into this publisher’s line.
• Give your qualifications for writing this story (your connection to the theme and/or your publishing credits).
• End it. Ask the editor to request the complete manuscript or thank the editor for his/her consideration.

If this is your first query letter or you just want the opinion of someone else, show it to a fellow writer/author. Better yet, hire an appropriate professional to review it before you send it.

If you’d like a couple of sample query letters for fiction, contact me at: PLFry620@yahoo.com. I’ll send them via email.

For additional assistance with the query letter, book proposal or any other aspect of writing and publishing, contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com. And be sure to spend time at my site learning from the many articles posted there. Purchase some of my extremely useful books. Sign up for my online courses. http://www.matilijapress.com

Query Letter DON’Ts
• Do NOT use a general salutation, “Gentlemen,” “Dear Editor” or “Whomever This Concerns.” Do whatever it takes to get the name of the acquisitions or managing editor.
• Do NOT tell the publisher or editor his/her business. Don’t say, for example, “This is the best story you’ve seen all year,” or “If you don’t publish this story, you’re missing out on millions of dollars.”
• Do NOT try to play coy with the publisher and conceal important aspects of your story. This will only result in his rejection.
• Do NOT say that all of your friends love your story and so does your mother.

If you want to publish your fiction, use the 3 “Ps” Be well-Prepared, Persistent and Patient. And there’s a 4th P word that’s also important. Always use your Professional persona when approaching an editor or publisher, follow the rules of etiquette and protocol and you’ll have a much greater chance of becoming a published author or a freelance writer with publishing credits.

January 13, 2008

Why You Must Have a Platform Before Publishing

Filed under: Book Promotion,Publishing — Patricia @ 5:15 am

Hopeful authors come whining to me from time to time, saying that they can’t get a publisher because they don’t have a platform. So what do they do? They keep sending the same book proposal out to more and more publishers. What would I advise them to do? Start building a platform, of course.

I guess it hasn’t sunk in with many new authors that you don’t have to wait until you’re published to establish a platform. In fact, to me, this is backwards thinking. If you don’t have a platform in your genre or topic, you should begin building one before you ever start writing a book.

Many beginning authors come into the publishing arena with at least one of the following misconceptions.

• They don’t believe that a platform is necessary for their particular project.
• They think there’s plenty of time to start building on their platform, later.
• They don’t know what a platform is because they haven’t bothered to study the business of publishing.

To review, if you expect to land a traditional publisher (one that will invest in your project), you will need a platform—a following, a way of attracting readers. If you hope to sell very many copies of your self-published book, you need a platform—recognition and/or expertise in your genre/topic.

Whose dog training book would you buy? The one by the credentialed trainer with a syndicated radio show and several training books under his belt or one by a first-time author who happens to own a couple of pit bulls?

When you’re in the mood to read a romance novel, which one will you pick? The novel by your favorite author, whose stories you read in magazines and who sometimes appears on Oprah or the one by an author you’ve never heard of?

Put yourself in the reader’s/consumer’s place. What prompts you to buy a particular book? I think we all read books that we’ve read about or heard about from others—that have been recommended by friends or through reviews. We purchase books by authors that we meet and authors whose names are familiar. I bought a book yesterday from a first-time author after reading about it in our hometown newspaper. But I have never bought a book I didn’t know about from someone I’ve never heard of or never met. Have you? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Perhaps now you understand why publishers shy away from new authors who don’t have a platform and why I and other professionals recommend that you hold off even self-publishing until you’ve established a platform.

If you want to know more about how to establish a platform for your fiction or nonfiction book or children’s book, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

January 12, 2008

Is Your Book Idea Really a Good Idea?

Filed under: New Books,Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 5:34 am

Is your book idea really a good idea? Are you sure? Just because the concept is new and exciting to you doesn’t mean that it is a truly fresh idea—that it hasn’t been done before.

It’s easy to get a book published today. Sure, you can produce a book on any topic, in any style and from any perspective. But it still doesn’t mean that it is a good book—a needed or worthwhile project. In fact, folks, I’m seeing more and more manuscripts that probably should never become books.

Before you get too excited about your great book idea, Stop, Look and Listen.

Stop and think about your topic or your story. Is it really different enough and still within the realm of what readers need/want? Here’s where the Market Analysis portion of the traditional book proposal comes in. The process of completing a comparison study of books like the one you have in mind will help you to answer this question before your book becomes another failed book.

Look at books like yours. Okay, there’s nothing out there like yours. You keep telling me that. Then, perhaps you’re wasting your time writing a book for which there is no established category or interest. Hmmmmmm????!!!! Now that I’ve, hopefully, made an important point, I want you to go to the area in a nearby mega-bookstore where your book might be shelved. Order a latte, because you’ll be there for a while.

With your eyes, scan the books in this section. Are there any titles similar to yours or that suggest books on your topic or storyline? Maybe your book focuses on the power of attitude and how changing your mind can change your life. This might be a new concept for you, but I’m pretty sure that you’ll find a plethora of books new and ancient by a wide variety of authors known and unknown on the shelf. Perhaps your thriller features a swamp ogre that won’t die, but you find that dozens of other books in this genre do, too.

Sure it’s discouraging to discover that your clever idea is nothing new, but it’s also a blessing. It’s something you want to know before you ever start writing your book. Why? So that you don’t go down the wrong path that so many other new authors take—so that you don’t write a book that’s destined to fail.

Once you gather the information you need about your competition, Listen to your logical voice. Hopefully, your voice—and the professionals you trust—are telling you, “Don’t quit. Regroup and rethink your project.”

Study your competition thoroughly. Scrutinize dozens of books. Continue your comparison work online and don’t forget to look at similar books in your home library.

Maybe you’ll discover that, while there are plenty of books by well-qualified authors on your topic, there are none featuring real stories of famous people experiencing epiphanies in their lives. Or perhaps there’s a need for a workbook.

You might find a way to give your thriller a reprieve through a really unique storyline. Bring your most creative friends together for a brainstorming session and see what you can come up with. Whatever it is, be sure to use the Stop, Look and Listen technique before committing your story to paper.

It has been said for thousands of years, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” But, as authors, we can tweak our ideas and stories in ways that, perhaps, haven’t been done before—or at least in recent years—or at least in a particular genre or topic…

If you want to receive more publishing wisdom and/or guidance, contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com. View my credentials at http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html. Order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and the companion, Author’s Workbook http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

January 11, 2008

Your Professional Approach to Publishers

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 7:20 am

It happened again today. As the President of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), I received another scattershot email from a no-name writer. The fellow (or gal) probably sent this email to hundreds of recipients with hopes of landing a publisher for his “unique” book. He said his book is “a best seller awaiting a publisher.” He did not reveal his identity, and he even made up an email address to use in flushing out a publisher—one generic email address for sending the “SPAM” and one for a response: writer-seeking-publisher@etc….

Me being me, I responded, but with a scolding, of sorts, and some solid advice about approaching publishers. I’m probably the only person he will hear from.

I receive a few of these emails through SPAWN and through my own website practically every month. It would be interesting to follow some of these people through the process and see how far they got—what degree of success they eventually experience using the scattershot method.

For those of you who are considering writing a generic, anonymous query and tossing it into the breeze in hopes of attracting a publisher, please reconsider. Here’s a more reasonable approach to publishing success:

1: If the manuscript is completed, make sure it has been professionally edited. This means, have it edited by someone who is familiar with publishing and your genre/topic.

2: Whether your book is fiction or nonfiction, write a book proposal. (Learn more about both fiction and nonfiction book proposals in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html )

3: Write a killer query letter. If you’re not sure how to do this, study The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Before sending it off, consult with me or another professional. (Watch for an upcoming blog focusing on how to write a query letter.)

4: Research appropriate publishers. This means, publishers that would most likely be interested in investing in your particular project. Many publishers, today, specialize. Make sure that you are sending the right project to the right publisher. How? Look at their book catalogs. Study their Submission Guidelines. Locate books similar to yours and see who is publishing them? There are no books similar to yours, you say? Then maybe yours is not a good idea.

Okay, now that you’re seeing more clearly, go to where your book might be shelved in the nearest mega-bookstore. Look at the other books sitting there. Who published them? Consider contacting those publishers.

5: Send the publisher exactly what he wants (per his/her Submission Guidelines). This might be a query letter first or a full-blown book proposal (for nonfiction). He might want a query letter with your platform and marketing plan outlined and 50 pages of your novel. Some publishers accept material via email. Others do not. Most, who require snail mail contact, insist upon receiving a self-addressed-stamped envelope (SASE) for their response.

6: Address the correct person by name. Find out who the acquisitions editor is, or the managing editor or the editor for the topic/genre of your book. If you’re not sure who to address or the information you have is old, call the company and ask the receptionist to whom you should direct your query or proposal for a young adult fantasy or a book on health and healing.

At the risk of repeating myself, publishing is a business. It is not an extension of your writing. Do not attempt to enter into this highly competitive field using the anonymous, scattershot method that so many hopeful authors seem to believe is acceptable. For a greater chance at publishing success, lead with a viable project and use a reasonable, more personal approach.

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress