Writing and Publishing News from

So you’ve written a book. You worked long and hard on the story, theme or educational value of your book, and you’ve edited it over and over again. Your one expectation is that readers will appreciate all of the thought and effort you poured into this book. You want your message to resonate with readers in a meaningful way whether it is informational/educational or pure entertainment. You want your book to make a difference. What you don’t want is criticism.

But I have to tell you, you cannot put yourself out there in any way, shape or form without attracting some criticism. Your job is to identify the source and intent of the criticism. Not always easy. It’s important, however, that you listen and learn when there’s definite value to your project and disregard those comments that appear to be sour grapes.

How do you determine when a seriously negative review is from a delusional knucklehead or an astute critic? The wrong approach is to disregard all bad reviews. Another wrong approach is to believe all bad reviews or all good reviews, for that matter. Here’s my rule-of-thumb:

• If the reviewer gives reasons for disliking your book, take a look at these issues and determine whether they are valid. Consider making changes. If the negative comment or suggestion is made by more than one reviewer, this could be a beautiful gift in disguise. Pay attention.
• If the reviewer rambles on negatively about one scene or one resource or fact, and no one else mentions this, you probably touched a personal nerve with this individual. I’d disregard it.
• If the reviewer is obviously somewhat illiterate, you probably can’t take his or her opinion too seriously.
• If the reviewer admits he or she doesn’t generally read books in this genre, they may not be the best reviewer for your book as they may not understand the genre.

Remember that the majority of people filter the material or stories they read through their own personal life experiences and belief system. So, when you promote your book to the masses, even within a particular theme or genre, you will generate a wide variety of opinions. The more reviews you get, the wider the scope of opinions.

One area of critique that I highly recommend you heed is when it comes to typos and other errors. I’ve reviewed books that were riddled with errors. When I notice that the main character’s name changes throughout the book, the author misspells words, punctuation is messed up, there are words missing or extra words and typos throughout, for example, I will not write a review. I will contact the author and strongly urge them to pull the book immediately and hire a proofreader and/or editor.

So that’s another way to encourage positive reviews or to cut down on negative ones. Produce the best product you possibly can by making sure you have dotted all of your i’s and crossed all of your t’s.

Upcoming Newsletter for Authors

The next issue of Patricia Fry’s Publishing/Marketing News and Views is scheduled for publication in early April. Sign up now to receive your copy: http://www.patriciafry.com. Read back issues of this informative enewsletter here: http://www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog/?page_id=3081

Contact Patricia Fry here: PLFry620@yahoo.com

A published book is like having a pet. It might survive without your full attention, but will it thrive? Anyone who has invited a cat, dog or other pet into their home has learned that the animal responds more easily and more positively when you spend time with it. And, when you’re involved with your pet, you enjoy it more, too. There are benefits for both the animal and you when you pay attention to it, care for it at a physical and emotional level, understand more about what it needs and wants and take care of those requirements and desires.

How does a published book differ? While it is not a living breathing life form, as the author, you may feel an emotional attachment to the book you have created. And you will get out of authorship whatever you are willing to put into it.

If you spread the word about your book, it will sell. If a high sales record is your goal, you will meet with success only if you do the work—put in the time and energy. As with a pet, you will get out of the relationship (or experience) whatever you are willing to put into it. The benefits or rewards will be in direct alignment with your efforts.

Authorship is more than writing a book, just as parenting is more than giving birth.

Way too many people dive into the world of publishing without understanding the industry and their responsibility as a published author. At least, parents have life experiences, models/examples, mentors and so forth to help them through the difficult process of parenting a child. Some of them even take courses and read books and articles on parenting. Most of them also hang out with other parents of same-age children and pick-up tips from moms and dads in the trenches.

Unless you’ve been embedded in the publishing industry at some level, however, the only things you know about it are probably what you read in major and local newspapers—Such-and-such a resident has just published a book; book signing scheduled. Or you might read that another bookstore has closed, there’s an increase in books published each year or you’ll spot an ad for a local publisher who will publish your wonderful book for a fee.

Most authors know nothing about book promotion or even that it is necessary to promote your book. They come into the business expecting to be celebrity authors right out of the chute. The reality of the publishing industry affects different authors in different ways. Once they get involved and discover what is expected/required of them, if they desire some level of success, there are generally two responses. While some of them step up to the plate and begin studying the publishing industry and start pursuing authorship as a business instead of a right to passage, others refuse to conform. Can you guess which of these authors will succeed?

Are you in the process of writing a book for publication or are considering it? Don’t spoil your chances of success. Start NOW learning the ropes.

• Join writers’ groups and organizations and mingle with other authors.
• Pursue the resources and information provided through these means.
• Subscribe to meaningful newsletters and magazines.
• Educate yourself by reading books on the topic by professionals, attending writers’ conferences and other lectures.
• Pursue your own research.
• Frequent informative blog sites designed for authors.
• Have your book professionally edited before even thinking about publishing it.

Start by reading Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author by Patricia Fry. This book is available at Amazon.com in print, audio and Kindle. Or order the print version here: http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

Klepto Cat Mystery Series Update

If you’re ready for a break and want a light, fun read—download my Klepto Cat Mystery series for your Kindle. Although each book in the series is a stand-alone book, you might enjoy reading them in order—Catnapped, Cat-Eye Witness and then Sleight of Paw. If you’ve already read all three, watch for Undercover Cat to be published soon. If you enjoyed reading these books, please post a review at Amazon.

There used to be a statement you would see quite often saying, “Eighty-one percent of the adult population claim they have a book inside them.” At the time (I believe it was the eighties when I first read this), very few of those people were actually writing those books. And they certainly weren’t publishing them.

Now, I’d say that practically all of those eighty-one percent of adults with a book inside are writing them AND publishing them.

Here’s something else I’ve observed. A large number of those who are publishing books shouldn’t be. And there are still thousands—maybe millions—of books that should be written and have not been.

Authors, before you launch out and write that memoir, novel or informational book, study the market. Find out what is needed and what is popular. Learn what is already out there and determine whether or not you can produce something as useful or entertaining as what’s already being published. In other words, is there an audience for your book? Is your nonfiction book different enough from what’s already been published or is your novel similar enough to what’s currently popular?

To learn more about determining the potential success of your proposed book as well as how to navigate the publishing industry, read Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. It’s in print, Kindle and audio at http://www.amazon.com. Or order it in print form here: http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html