It’s a common scenario: a writer emerges from his\/her writing room and announces, “I’ve just written a book! Now, I\u2019m going to get it published.” <\/p>\n
He goes online in search of a publisher and winds up with a list of several fee-based POD self-publishing services. He pays the fee and quickly and happily becomes a published author. By the end of the year, however, this author like the hundreds of others who follow this easy route, hasn’t come anywhere near breaking even. He has a book that isn’t selling and he doesn’t know what to do next. This author is one of the 76 percent who fail every year. <\/p>\n
As I said, this is a common scenario. But it is certainly not the best one, nor is it one that you should expect or accept.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, I met several hopeful authors at the West Coast Author Premiere at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura, California. I had the privilege of speaking to them about publishing. And I\u2019m sure that they heard some truths, facts and statistics that they haven’t heard before and didn’t expect to hear.<\/p>\n
Here are some beliefs held by most new authors and the truth of the matter:<\/p>\n
Common Belief<\/strong>: Traditional royalty publishers do not publish the works of new authors. Common Belief<\/strong>: I have a great story, there’s no reason why a traditional royalty publisher would reject it. Belief<\/strong>: My job is over once I find a publisher. Common Belief<\/strong>: If only I can get my book produced, it will sell itself. Common Belief<\/strong>: I only have one publishing option\u2014to pay a fee-based POD self-publishing service to produce my book. Common Belief<\/strong>: I’ll get my book into bookstores and I’ll sell plenty of copies. Common Belief<\/strong>: If I self-publish or go with a POD self-publishing company, I will not be able to get my book reviewed. Common Belief<\/strong>: I know I must have my book edited, so I’ll ask a teacher at my son’s school (or a retired professor in our neighborhood or a really smart friend from work) to edit my book. So it should be in really good shape when I approach a publisher with it. For the more truths, facts, tips, techniques, guidelines, information and resources regarding the publishing industry and how you can effectively navigate within it, order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today<\/em>. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It’s a common scenario: a writer emerges from his\/her writing room and announces, “I’ve just written a book! Now, I\u2019m going to get it published.” He goes online in search of a publisher and winds up with a list of several fee-based POD self-publishing services. He pays the fee and quickly and happily becomes a […]<\/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
\nTruth<\/strong>: There are hundreds of medium and small traditional publishers seeking good publishing projects.<\/p>\n
\nTruth<\/strong>: There are about 6.5 million books in print and 411,422 books produced last year. Competition is extremely tough, and even some excellent books are not making the cut. I read recently that traditional royalty publishers accept only 3 percent of the manuscripts they receive. Another source said 1 percent.<\/p>\n
\nTruth<\/strong>: It is the author’s responsibility to promote his or her own book.<\/p>\n
\nTruth<\/strong>: Even an exceptional book requires a lot of the author’s initiative, energy and time in order to sell enough books to make a profit. <\/p>\n
\nTruth<\/strong>: There are 3 basic publishing options: Traditional royalty publisher (hundreds of them to choose from), self-publishing (you establish your own publishing company) or you pay a POD publishing service to produce your book.<\/p>\n
\nTruth<\/strong>: Even the largest bookstore can carry only about 3 percent of all books in print. If your publisher can get your book placed in bookstores, it will have a shelf life of only a few months if it isn\u2019t selling well.<\/p>\n
\nTruth<\/strong>: There are hundreds of review opportunities for books in practically every genre and topic.<\/p>\n
\nTruth<\/strong>: Few people outside of the publishing realm can do the kind of editing job a book manuscript requires. <\/p>\n