So often, we choose to move forward on projects without taking the time to gather the information and knowledge we need. This is particularly common in publishing. We figure that if we can write it without assistance, we can publish it on our own. Besides, there are an awful lot of companies and individuals out there willing to show us the way. <\/p>\n
Countless hopeful authors, when they’re ready to publish their memoir, novel, book of poetry, children\u2019s book or self-help book, for example, will make one research effort. They’ll do a Google search and, woolah, they find a company willing to publish their book sight unseen for a fee. And they search no further. Some of them luck out and fall into a nice situation. But most do not. <\/p>\n
It’s after they make some hasty decisions and begin to notice that book production and sales aren’t going the way they expected, that most new authors will start asking questions and conducting research. And it’s with hindsight that they lament their initial decisions. <\/p>\n
I’m working on my messages to the Words of Wizards Writers’ Conference attendees next month (October 11) in Phoenix and the writers in Prescott, Arizona October 15. And the theme is, knowledge<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n Don’t just launch out with your book manuscript in tow eager to find someone\/anyone interested in publishing it. Don’t glom onto the first opportunity that presents itself. Don’t go blindly into a publishing agreement. Know what you’re doing.<\/p>\n \u2022\tStudy the publishing industry. Publishing success is that simple and that complex. <\/p>\n How many of you would start a business without knowing something about the industry, the product, your suppliers\/distributors and your competition. You wouldn’t go into business without a business plan, would you? If you were seeking space for your store or suppliers for your business, you wouldn’t go with the first ones that you stumbled across without first knowing all of your options and comparing them. You wouldn’t sign the first contract someone handed you without completely understanding it. Yet, countless authors do just that!<\/p>\n Publishing is a business, too. <\/p>\n If you are writing a book, have written a book or plan to write a book, no matter whether you are contemplating self-publishing, POD publishing or landing a traditional royalty publisher, you WILL need to write a complete book proposal. A book proposal is a business plan for your book. Let me walk you through the steps of creating your book proposal. Sign up for my online Book Proposal Course<\/strong>, starting September 15, 2008, today! http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookproposal.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n What will a book proposal do for you? And if you don’t think that any of this is important in today’s highly competitive publishing climate, you must be living on a different planet.<\/p>\n Sign up for my online book proposal course starting September 15, 2008. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_bookproposal.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n For additional information about the Wizards of Words Conference, go to http:\/\/www.wizardsofwords.org<\/a> <\/p>\n If you live near Prescott, AZ, plan to join us at the Prescott Library October 15, 2008. I will speak at 7.<\/p>\n In this blog today, I meant to give you resources for learning more about the publishing industry, but, instead, I got sidetracked on the importance of knowledge and the book proposal. Tomorrow, I will bring in some resources that will help you to learn volumes about the publishing industry. In the meantime, if you want to reach me, PLFry620@yahoo.com. For articles, information, my showcase of books, my schedule of events and MORE, go to http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" So often, we choose to move forward on projects without taking the time to gather the information and knowledge we need. This is particularly common in publishing. We figure that if we can write it without assistance, we can publish it on our own. Besides, there are an awful lot of companies and individuals out […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,3],"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
\n\u2022\tKnow what your options are.
\n\u2022\tUnderstand the possible consequences of your choices.
\n\u2022\tAnd be fully aware of your responsibility as a published author.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tIt will tell you whether or not you actually have a viable product.
\n\u2022\tIt will help you to determine your target audience and where you’ll find them.
\n\u2022\tIt will assist you in identifying your competition and determining if there is actually a need for this book.
\n\u2022\tAnd it will help you to establish your platform and a marketing plan. <\/p>\n