Are you pleased with the books you turn out? Have you ever received a book from a pay-to-publish service, printer or even business center and felt a touch (or a slap) of disappointment? You didn\u2019t like the cover, the inside design isn\u2019t as you expected or you feel your story or your nonfiction book is lacking something? This isn\u2019t unusual. And do you know why? Because we tend to rush our book projects.<\/p>\n
As we near completion, we start projecting a publication date\u2014the date we will get the book back from the publishing service or printer. If there is a holiday or special family birthday around that time, for example, we get attached to that date\u2014\u201cGotta have it ready to promote at that time,\u201d or \u201cIt would be so cool to have it ready for Uncle Frank\u2019s 80th birthday.\u201d If we start telling friends and colleagues about the pending book, our attachment to that date becomes even more intense. <\/p>\n
When we allow this to happen, we are approaching our projects through emotions rather than a business sense and this can be dangerous. What\u2019s the answer? How does an author establish the right pace for his or her project?<\/p>\n
1: From the beginning, consider your book a product.<\/p>\n
2: Make all decisions with regard to your book from a business and not an emotional place.<\/p>\n
3: Educate yourself about publishing and keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. <\/p>\n
4: Write a book proposal and prove to yourself what you may already know\u2014that this is a valid project. Find out who your true target audience is, how many people this encompasses, where you will find them and how to approach them. What is the best way to promote to this audience and what can you bring to the table in this regard? In other words, what is your platform?<\/p>\n
5: Hire a good book editor. And don\u2019t write over him\/her once they have cleaned up your manuscript. If extensive rewrites are recommended, always, ALWAYS take the work back to your editor for a final look.<\/p>\n
6: Hire a cover design expert. While good writing, a good story and\/or good information is highly important, you also need a cover that will grab the attention of your readers. If they avoid your book because of a dull cover or the title doesn\u2019t spark an interest, they may never take a chance on what\u2019s inside.<\/p>\n
7: Move slowly and methodically through the publishing process. Be clear as to your options, the possible consequences of your choices and your responsibilities as a published author. Choose your publishing option using business sense and make all of the decisions throughout the publishing process based on knowledge, not emotions. <\/p>\n
Successful publishing is much more than a dedication to writing. While writing is a craft\u2014a heart thing\u2014publishing is a business. What other business can you start that doesn\u2019t require a measure of business sense, knowledge of the field, an outlay of money (investment), clear-headed decision-making, affiliation with experts in various areas related to your field and a business plan? <\/p>\n
For a serious grasp on what it takes to succeed in publishing today, read \u201cPublish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.\u201d Available at Amazon.com as well as most other online and downtown bookstores. Also at http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Are you pleased with the books you turn out? Have you ever received a book from a pay-to-publish service, printer or even business center and felt a touch (or a slap) of disappointment? You didn\u2019t like the cover, the inside design isn\u2019t as you expected or you feel your story or your nonfiction book is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t