You probably get tired of hearing (reading) me harp about publishing being a business that should be taken seriously\u2014that new authors have a responsibility to approach publishing with knowledge and awareness. Yet, every week I hear\/read about another author who has crashed the publishing party with little or no understanding of how it all works.<\/p>\n
These authors don\u2019t know anything about the industry. They are so ignorant about publishing options that they literally fall into the arms of the first person who offers to publish their book no matter the conditions. And they are totally oblivious to their responsibilities as a published author\u2014to what comes after publishing. <\/p>\n
This is a three strike situation if I\u2019ve ever seen one and, believe me, I\u2019ve observed many, many authors going down for the count, along with their beloved book projects. It\u2019s sad and so downright unnecessary. <\/p>\n
Anyone can publish a book today. That\u2019s what makes publishing such a desirable activity for so many. Everyone wants to be published\u2014to have their words, story, rant, opinion go down in history\u2014to, perhaps, make a difference. But not everyone is cut out to be a published author of some merit. <\/p>\n
I talked to someone just last week who said, \u201cMy book is finished. I\u2019m ready to publish. Only I don\u2019t know a thing about how to promote it.\u201d If he would listen to me, I would tell him, \u201cBuddy, it is time to shut down the book factory and start focusing on what comes after the publishing process.\u201d In fact, he should have launched a study of the publishing industry, including the huge task of bookpromotion, before getting involved.<\/p>\n
How many of you took the time to study the publishing industry before producing a book? How many of you are in the process of learning about publishing now in anticipation of becoming a published author? Have any of you changed your minds about publishing after learning something about the industry and your responsibilities as a published author? We would like to hear your stories.<\/p>\n
If you visit this blog site often, attend my presentations, read my books\/articles, take my courses, etc., you know that I am a strong proponent of writing a book proposal before writing the book. This is important for several reasons\u2014two main ones are:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThrough the process of writing a book proposal, you have the opportunity to learn more about how the world of publishing works, what it takes to get involved and what is expected of you if you hope to succeed to any degree. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tBy developing a full-blown book proposal, you will discover whether or not your book idea is a good idea\u2014a viable project. If you determine it is not, you still have the option of revising it to make it more salable. <\/p>\n
Why would anyone short change themselves or purposely sabotage even a small measure of
\nsuccess by ignoring the recommendations of professionals? The challenge for professionals, however, is to first locate hopeful authors and start educating them before they make expensive and heart-breaking mistakes.<\/p>\n
When a would-be author hides out in his\/her writing room for months working on a book, only to emerge in order to find a publisher, there\u2019s little hope of educating him. He\u2019s on a mission and he doesn\u2019t want to be distracted. Unfortunately, this author will probably follow along after thousands of others who have avoided asking directions. They will find a publisher. But, without knowledge and information, most of these authors find themselves in way over their heads in territory and with stipulations they never ever expected and often can\u2019t deal with.<\/p>\n
Authors, if you believe in your book project, give it and yourself a chance to succeed. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tStudy the publishing industry.
\n\u2022\tKnow what your options are.
\n\u2022\tUnderstand the possible ramifications of the various choices.
\n\u2022\tEducate yourself as to your responsibilities as a published author.<\/p>\n
I pat you on the back for your decision to read this blog post today. Now go forth and read books by myself, Patricia Fry (I recommend \u201cThe Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book\u201d), Brian Jud, Dan Poynter, Penny Sansevieri and others. <\/p>\n
Learn more about publishing, writing a book proposal, book promotion and more at: You probably get tired of hearing (reading) me harp about publishing being a business that should be taken seriously\u2014that new authors have a responsibility to approach publishing with knowledge and awareness. Yet, every week I hear\/read about another author who has crashed the publishing party with little or no understanding of how it all works. […]<\/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
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"