It used to be that we became authors because we loved the writing process. We had to justify the time we spent writing, so we began publishing our work. It was once a rather simple process. And each person within the process had specific responsibilities. There was the writer and then there was the publishing company. Within the publishing company was the publisher, an editor and a publicity or marketing team. Oh yes, and booksellers. There were bookstores. That\u2019s how books were sold. At some point, distributors came into being.<\/p>\n
I think it was in the \u201870s or \u201880s when I first heard the statistic that 81 percent of Americans claim they have a book in them. Few of those books ever saw the light of day. I\u2019d been a published author for years by then and I didn\u2019t know another author. Now, everyone you meet either is an author or has a close relative or friend who is. Now at least that 81 percent of wannabes are published authors. And the publishing industry has become what I would call chaotic. <\/p>\n
It used to be fairly easy to transition from serious writer pursuing a labor of love to published author. Publishing contracts were pretty straightforward. All that was required of the author after publication was a few book signings. Now, an author must have a business degree, a law degree and a marketing background in order to successfully navigate the publishing industry. Oh yes, it doesn\u2019t hurt to know a little psychology, either. And if you weren\u2019t born with a thick skin, grow one, because you\u2019ll need it in this business.<\/p>\n
Are you planning to write a book? Maybe you\u2019re in the process of writing your memoir, a novel or a nonfiction book you feel is needed. Stop! Don\u2019t take another step forward until you have studied the publishing industry. There\u2019s an enormous amount that you need to know and understand before you get involved. Without this knowledge, you are setting yourself up to be yet another statistic. Did you know that nearly 78 percent of all authors fail? <\/p>\n
You don\u2019t want to go there. And you won\u2019t, if you will study the publishing industry before you launch out with your book. There are many books as well as articles in magazines and newsletters on publishing and book marketing. Here is the book that I recommend.<\/p>\n
Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author<\/em> by Patricia Fry<\/p>\n Do you know what makes for a successful book? What your publishing options are? What are your responsibilities as a published author are? Do you know how to make your book more salable, how to choose the best publisher for your book and what book promotion involves? Do you know the process of setting up your own publishing company? Do you know when is the best time to find all of this out? BEFORE your book is a book. Publish Your Book<\/em> is at Amazon in print, Kindle and audio and at most other online and downtown bookstores. Or order it here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It used to be that we became authors because we loved the writing process. We had to justify the time we spent writing, so we began publishing our work. It was once a rather simple process. And each person within the process had specific responsibilities. There was the writer and then there was the publishing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,5],"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