{"id":814,"date":"2010-05-12T05:26:15","date_gmt":"2010-05-12T13:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=814"},"modified":"2010-11-11T07:27:14","modified_gmt":"2010-11-11T15:27:14","slug":"author-services%e2%80%94which-ones-should-you-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=814","title":{"rendered":"Author Services\u2014Which Ones Should You Use?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As authors, we are bombarded with offers to help us write, pitch, publish and promote our books. How do you know which services to pay for and when to go it alone? <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how I feel about the various services: <\/p>\n

If you need writing help, join a writers\u2019 critique group, take a writing course through a local adult education program and\/or work with a mentor. I also recommend to my clients that they read a lot of books in their genre of choice. <\/p>\n

Most authors need an editor. I would even venture to say that every author needs that qualified extra set of eyes. Hire an editor with a reputation, with good references, with experience in your genre. Ask the editor for a free evaluation of your manuscript. I am an editor. I will provide a sample edit so my clients know my style and the type of corrections\/suggestions I will make throughout their manuscripts. I consider myself a teaching editor. I do my best to help you strengthen your weak areas so your next project won\u2019t require so much of the editor\u2019s time. And, when hiring an editor, time is money. Contact me for your free sample edit: plfry620@yahoo.com. <\/p>\n

(Note, I also teach an online course on how to self-edit\u2014a great way to save on your final editing bill.)
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_self-editing.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n

Pitching your book. If you\u2019re new at it, seek help writing your book proposal and your query letter before approaching an agent or publisher. I recommend that you work with someone at a personal level (rather than hiring a \u201ccompany\u201d)\u2014someone who has experience writing book proposals for others in your topic\/genre, if possible.<\/p>\n

Choose a publishing option only after studying the publishing industry\u2014once you know all of your options, the possible consequences of your choices and you understand your responsibilities as a published author. If you go the pay-to-publish or traditional publishing route, have a publishing attorney or literary attorney look at your contract before signing it.<\/p>\n

Book promotion: There are many companies and individuals eager to take your money for promoting your book. The number of these services and the variety of their offerings are mind boggling. And I generally recommend that you avoid most of them. The exception is the course, workshop or individual who teaches you how to promote your own book. No one cares about your book as much as you do. No one knows it as well as you do. And no one can promote it as successfully as you can\u2014all you need are the ideas, persistence and a sense of follow-through.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As authors, we are bombarded with offers to help us write, pitch, publish and promote our books. How do you know which services to pay for and when to go it alone? Here\u2019s how I feel about the various services: If you need writing help, join a writers\u2019 critique group, take a writing course through […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,1],"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