{"id":3132,"date":"2013-11-23T04:55:00","date_gmt":"2013-11-23T12:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=3132"},"modified":"2013-11-23T04:55:00","modified_gmt":"2013-11-23T12:55:00","slug":"five-common-authors-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=3132","title":{"rendered":"Five Common Author\u2019s Mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is excerpted from my book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author<\/em>. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/PublishYourBook.html<\/a> This book is also available at Amazon.com in print, audio and Kindle as well as other online and downtown bookstores.<\/p>\n

1: Inexperienced authors write a book that is not publisher-friendly<\/b>. In other words, they write the book to suit their own emotional or altruistic needs without considering its commercial value. Once the book is completed, they try to find a publisher. What\u2019s wrong with this approach?<\/p>\n

Most manuscripts that are written without concern for the target audience are not marketable, thus would not be profitable. A publisher may reject a manuscript featuring your grandfather\u2019s World War II experiences, but would welcome a book focusing on blacks in the armed forces during that time period. Your book on selling buttons through eBay may not appeal to a publisher, yet the public might be screaming for one featuring the most unique items ever sold online.<\/p>\n

If you had written a complete book proposal first, your project would probably be more appropriately targeted. And if you\u2019d submitted a query letter before writing your book, the publisher could have more appropriately directed you\u2014greatly increasing your chances of becoming a published author.<\/p>\n

2: Newbie authors frequently send their manuscripts to the wrong publishers<\/b>. Much like doctors these days, some publishers specialize. More and more publishers accept either fiction or nonfiction. Some specialize in children\u2019s stories or textbooks while others focus their energies (and their finances) on true crime, poetry, romance, cookbooks, how-to, self-help or business books.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no such thing as one publisher fits all. You wouldn\u2019t send your collection of poetry to DAW Books, but the editors at Red Hen Press might be delighted to receive it. These editors would reject your fantasy or science fiction manuscript on the spot, but those at DAW Books might welcome it. The publisher at Paulist Press doesn\u2019t want to see books in any of these genres, but send them a good children\u2019s or young adult book with a Catholic theme and you might score with them.<\/p>\n

3: Eager authors often set their hearts on being accepted by a mega-publisher. <\/b>In so doing, they miss out on more realistic publishing opportunities. I\u2019m not trying to discourage you from starting at the top. I have no quarrel with you giving the big guys a whirl. But please develop a backup plan.<\/p>\n

4: The most common mistake authors make when contacting publishers is to ignore their submission guidelines.<\/b> In fact, many inexperienced authors don\u2019t even study them. While there are basic standards for contacting publishers, there are also differences in submission requirements between publishing houses. Most publishers want to see a query letter first. If they are interested in your concept and impressed by your credentials, they will generally request your book proposal. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and this is why it\u2019s crucial to locate and study the guidelines for each publisher before approaching him or her. (See details for locating submission guidelines below in tomorrow’s post.)<\/p>\n

5: Too many hopeful authors neglect to make a clear, concise and clean presentation.<\/b> Some inexperienced authors believe that a publisher can see through a poorly written query letter to the magnificence of his story. Others are so eager to get their works into the hands of a publisher that they simply don\u2019t finish dotting all of their i\u2019s and crossing all of their t\u2019s. I\u2019m here to tell you that your chances of winning a contract with any publisher are extremely slim when you submit an error-riddled, disorganized, rambling query letter, book proposal or manuscript.<\/p>\n

In order to be successful in this business, you have to stop looking at your project from an emotional place and start thinking like a professional. Don\u2019t worry; you can adopt a business persona without losing your creative edge. In fact, if you want to be published, it\u2019s necessary to shift from artist to businessperson on demand.<\/p>\n

Whether you decide to approach a mega-publishing house or a smaller one, vow to give nothing less than your most polished presentation. Think about it, what is the point of leading with your second or third best shot when there may be 300 other authors soliciting this publisher with equally good ideas and highly polished presentations?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is excerpted from my book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/PublishYourBook.html This book is also available at Amazon.com in print, audio and Kindle as well as other online and downtown bookstores. 1: Inexperienced authors write a book that is not publisher-friendly. In other words, they write the book […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,3],"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