You've written a masterpiece. It turned out better than required high school or college reading. Your "baby" is almost ready to be shared with the world. That "baby" is your fiction or nonfiction draft. You probably would prefer that no one touch it. The reality is the journey begins with a draft. Finishing up a book requires many tedious steps.
Assuming that you plan to do the right thing and hire a professional editor, in just a short time, you will see your work in print. You're excited and you should be. Finishing a first, second, third draft or other is quite an accomplishment.
Slow down though. If you plan to sell your book, consider what big businesses do before they dump a heap of money into a new product or project. They test it. A focus group consists of potential consumers of that product or service. They are screened people who are paid to give their opinions and feedback to decision makers. The data is collected and analyzed. Companies who go that extra mile usually get closer to their goal of connecting with their customers through sales. Pilot users do much of the same. Get it?
Charging back to book world full throttle,
we return to the beta reader topic. I call them test readers. To me, they are so similar to focus groups participants and pilot users. Their purpose is virtually the same. They "test" the appeal of a manuscript by offering feedback, reactions that come from the gut, and honest opinions. Some are good at giving feedback. Others are great. A few may simply read and have little to say. There are good ones, marginal beta readers, and polished book consumers who will find things that an author completely missed. All feedback is valuable because comparing it is a part of the journey. If many people say the same thing, that's a a pattern. It's up to the author if he or she will make changes to prized words, but at the end of it all, who is going to buy the product? Readers. Consumers.
People like your test/ beta readers. That's why they are golden.
Some authors also swap manuscripts to read. That's fine so long as the selected writing buddy is wiling to return the favor when your turn comes, and he or she really does want the best for you. Use good judgment to decide who is really on your side. Return genuine interest in your career to that person, too.
If you're wondering why it's relevant to use beta readers at all, if an editor's job is to edit, my premise is simple. Ask a professional editor what his or her rates are for developmental editing. Compare that to the second editing tier, or a medium edit. Pros charge a much higher rate for developmental work. They have to do more, fix more, figure out more, and maybe even whip out their pen to rewrite some of your masterpiece. Who really wants that to happen? Turning over sloppy work to an editor may also lead to a less than desired result. I've worked as a freelance content editor and ghost writer. I speak from my perspective as an author and freelancer.
How to choose beta readers requires strategy. Become familiar with two words: target audience. The subject of the manuscript is also very relevant in terms of who should be asked to read a draft.
If you pick someone to be a beta reader, make it easy for them. Ask if he or she can read the manuscript by a specified time, prepare a short list of sample questions to share, and if they live nearby, ask if they prefer a delivered hard copy over an emailed version. Some people prefer to make notes on a printed version. It's always nice to ask, especially if someone's rooting for the success of your project and wants to help. Be appreciative of any and all support. An attitude of gratitude is important to succeed in publishing, or life in general.
Anyone can be a published author these days. A book deal is not a necessity, but building a stable fan base requires quality writing and a quality presentation. Plus, you never know where your book may end up. Strive to do your best. With each project, an author should evolve and improve. If you want to become a writer, finding tools such as using beta readers can help polish your personal writing style.
Best wishes with the birth of your baby. Labor pains hurt, but nothing good comes easy.
If you like Twitter, I'd love to connect with you there.
@AndreaBlackston
Do you need publishing or marketing help? Visit www.surgemarketinggroup.com.
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Book Decisions 101. Before you sign on the line to finalize a book deal, slow down.
Many aspiring authors are extremely excited to land a traditional book deal, but everything that shines isn't gold. The quality of the publisher can greatly impact ones career, success and sanity. Landing a book deal is like landing a new job. Publishing is a business. You'll never forget that if you sign on the line. What you used to do for fun changes instantly. Poof. It's a hobby no more.
There are lots of imprints popping up these days. An imprint does not imply poor quality though. Pay attention to the head of the organization. When you enter a legal agreement with someone, fulfilling the terms of the contract is a two way street. If meeting of the minds falls through, hiring a lawyer is often your only option to officially resolve a given situation. Here are a few things to consider before you click your heels with excitement.
Your intellectual property will be in the hands of someone else. What moral track record does the individual have in the industry? Trust is a part of the relationship. Is the person approachable, antagonistic, or will he or she regard you as part of a team? Find out up front the founder's view on how conflicts will be resolved. Study the answer. Let your gut lead you. Pay attention to business ethics. What kind of things do you hear about this person? Do the majority of their other authors seem satisfied? Consider having your contract professionally reviewed. A seasoned publisher should not be offended by your desire to look over the terms and dissect them.
Books will be purchased from your publisher. The print run is in their hands. You will most likely order from them, unless you never plan on having books on hand to sell to readers directly. So clearly understand how much you will pay per copy, when you need to purchase books. A savvy publisher will adhere to a smooth ordering system. One who does sloppy business can have you waiting for months to order your own books. It can be a simple matter or a nightmare. If you never wanted to pull your hair out, how would you feel if you had events lined up, but your emails and calls fall into a black hole? It all goes back to the quality of the publisher, and their interest in taking care of their authors. Is the company interested in your career, or is the agenda getting a percentage of a book that their demographic could snatch up for the moment? There's a difference between the two situations. Some publishers are interested in nurturing their authors...ahem...and not just the favorites. Others will easily replace the medium money makers with the next person with something trendy that may grace the shelf. At the same time, some authors are interested in smaller deals while trying to leverage a bigger one from a top publisher later. Also, what happens if you sell out of your print run, assuming that your publisher isn't using a print on demand system? These are more aspects to consider. That grand plan should be well planned.
Before you sign a book contract, understand how long you are contractually bound. Did you sign a two book deal, three book deal, or some other ? (Hey you! If you've never heard of the right of first refusal, you also may want to look they term up.) Be prepared to deliver what you obligated yourself to. If you can't fulfill the terms of the contract, and your book has been scheduled for release, you can put yourself in a difficult situation. In some cases, a ghost writer will be hired at your expense via your check. I can say that because I have been that person who confidentially stepped up to fill in a gap. Always have another manuscript in mind. If possible, have an outline prepared if you aren't able to write a rough draft at that moment. Time sneaks up on many authors. Even seasoned ones often feel the stress of deadlines.
If you're lucky enough to get an advance, don't blow your money like you hit the lottery. Plan what you will do with it. A publishing check doesn't come every two weeks. You'll probably get paid a portion of monies upon delivering a manuscript, and the other half when the book is ready for the world's viewing pleasure. You won't see a dime of royalties until the publisher recovers the investment in you. That money wasn't really free money. It was like a bank account set up on your behalf. Did you know that when books are returned to your publisher, that's tracked and tallied? Ouch.
Additionally, most authors aren't given a marketing budget. Keep that in mind before you hit the mall. Do you need a new computer to keep doing what you do? If there's something that you need to work, consider making an investment. Unless you've been given a credit card for expenses (smile), chances are that you'll be burning your gas to travel, hopping planes, scouting cheap bus prices and paying for your own tables at expos and fairs to find yourself standing shoulder
to shoulder next to other authors who are in a similar boat. So you want to be an author? This is a part of the fun part. It's called promotion. Most authors are sent out into the world to make it work on their own. Poor sales can hinder the next opportunity, even with a prospective publisher who wants to know your sales history for a previous title. The last deal often matters.
There are pros and cons to advances. The publishers investment in you is step one of a serious commitment. Many small imprints don't offer an advance. That's not always a bad thing. It gives you a chance to test your sales chops with less pressure. Also, your publisher can see how hard you will push to make your project a success. A good publisher pays attention to who works hard and is likely to offer extra help and feedback to those who bring professionalism to the table. Make yourself stand out in a good way. Have a great attitude and work ethic. Don't be known as a difficult diva or gent that someone can't wait to release.
Know why you want to write a book and publish it. Anyone can become an author these days. Technology changed the publishing landscape, so it can be hard to tell who wants to pen something because it was on his or her bucket list, who penned something to help with branding another business venture, and who loves books to the point of wanting to pen them because it's a passion. Be honest about your wants and desires. That can also pay a role in the time and energy you are willing to invest in the publishing journey, and what you expect from your publisher.
In essence, a publishing deal is like a relationship. There are good and bad ones. Do your homework the best that you can. Research and ask questions. Network. Attend book functions. Slow down and think about both sides of the equation. Learn the business enough to make an educated decision about where you want to go, and with whom.
Also remember that you will not be able to monopolize the publisher's time and resources. Expectations should be reasonable for both parties. Becoming a traditionally published author can be the toughest job that you should love, but getting rich probably isn't going to happen.
Subscribe if you are interested in receiving tips and more. Grove Street Ezine offers industry insight from reliable sources.
Thankfulness and Faith
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/bloggertime?mode=mobile&origin=emailnxnnx
Knowledge and Joy
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/issuu_ezine2?mode=mobile&origin=emaile
Mompreneurs
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/mompreneurjanuarygrovestreete-zine?mode=mobile
The Spice Pages
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/february_s_spice_pages_issue_for_grove_street
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/blackhistorypagesgrovestreet-1
Our fan page
http://m.facebook.com/pages/Grove-Street-ezine/518403934865920?id=518403934865920&_rdr
If you need marketing or in depth consulting, look me up.
surgemarketinggroup.com
There are lots of imprints popping up these days. An imprint does not imply poor quality though. Pay attention to the head of the organization. When you enter a legal agreement with someone, fulfilling the terms of the contract is a two way street. If meeting of the minds falls through, hiring a lawyer is often your only option to officially resolve a given situation. Here are a few things to consider before you click your heels with excitement.
Your intellectual property will be in the hands of someone else. What moral track record does the individual have in the industry? Trust is a part of the relationship. Is the person approachable, antagonistic, or will he or she regard you as part of a team? Find out up front the founder's view on how conflicts will be resolved. Study the answer. Let your gut lead you. Pay attention to business ethics. What kind of things do you hear about this person? Do the majority of their other authors seem satisfied? Consider having your contract professionally reviewed. A seasoned publisher should not be offended by your desire to look over the terms and dissect them.
Books will be purchased from your publisher. The print run is in their hands. You will most likely order from them, unless you never plan on having books on hand to sell to readers directly. So clearly understand how much you will pay per copy, when you need to purchase books. A savvy publisher will adhere to a smooth ordering system. One who does sloppy business can have you waiting for months to order your own books. It can be a simple matter or a nightmare. If you never wanted to pull your hair out, how would you feel if you had events lined up, but your emails and calls fall into a black hole? It all goes back to the quality of the publisher, and their interest in taking care of their authors. Is the company interested in your career, or is the agenda getting a percentage of a book that their demographic could snatch up for the moment? There's a difference between the two situations. Some publishers are interested in nurturing their authors...ahem...and not just the favorites. Others will easily replace the medium money makers with the next person with something trendy that may grace the shelf. At the same time, some authors are interested in smaller deals while trying to leverage a bigger one from a top publisher later. Also, what happens if you sell out of your print run, assuming that your publisher isn't using a print on demand system? These are more aspects to consider. That grand plan should be well planned.
Before you sign a book contract, understand how long you are contractually bound. Did you sign a two book deal, three book deal, or some other ? (Hey you! If you've never heard of the right of first refusal, you also may want to look they term up.) Be prepared to deliver what you obligated yourself to. If you can't fulfill the terms of the contract, and your book has been scheduled for release, you can put yourself in a difficult situation. In some cases, a ghost writer will be hired at your expense via your check. I can say that because I have been that person who confidentially stepped up to fill in a gap. Always have another manuscript in mind. If possible, have an outline prepared if you aren't able to write a rough draft at that moment. Time sneaks up on many authors. Even seasoned ones often feel the stress of deadlines.
If you're lucky enough to get an advance, don't blow your money like you hit the lottery. Plan what you will do with it. A publishing check doesn't come every two weeks. You'll probably get paid a portion of monies upon delivering a manuscript, and the other half when the book is ready for the world's viewing pleasure. You won't see a dime of royalties until the publisher recovers the investment in you. That money wasn't really free money. It was like a bank account set up on your behalf. Did you know that when books are returned to your publisher, that's tracked and tallied? Ouch.
Additionally, most authors aren't given a marketing budget. Keep that in mind before you hit the mall. Do you need a new computer to keep doing what you do? If there's something that you need to work, consider making an investment. Unless you've been given a credit card for expenses (smile), chances are that you'll be burning your gas to travel, hopping planes, scouting cheap bus prices and paying for your own tables at expos and fairs to find yourself standing shoulder
to shoulder next to other authors who are in a similar boat. So you want to be an author? This is a part of the fun part. It's called promotion. Most authors are sent out into the world to make it work on their own. Poor sales can hinder the next opportunity, even with a prospective publisher who wants to know your sales history for a previous title. The last deal often matters.
There are pros and cons to advances. The publishers investment in you is step one of a serious commitment. Many small imprints don't offer an advance. That's not always a bad thing. It gives you a chance to test your sales chops with less pressure. Also, your publisher can see how hard you will push to make your project a success. A good publisher pays attention to who works hard and is likely to offer extra help and feedback to those who bring professionalism to the table. Make yourself stand out in a good way. Have a great attitude and work ethic. Don't be known as a difficult diva or gent that someone can't wait to release.
Know why you want to write a book and publish it. Anyone can become an author these days. Technology changed the publishing landscape, so it can be hard to tell who wants to pen something because it was on his or her bucket list, who penned something to help with branding another business venture, and who loves books to the point of wanting to pen them because it's a passion. Be honest about your wants and desires. That can also pay a role in the time and energy you are willing to invest in the publishing journey, and what you expect from your publisher.
In essence, a publishing deal is like a relationship. There are good and bad ones. Do your homework the best that you can. Research and ask questions. Network. Attend book functions. Slow down and think about both sides of the equation. Learn the business enough to make an educated decision about where you want to go, and with whom.
Also remember that you will not be able to monopolize the publisher's time and resources. Expectations should be reasonable for both parties. Becoming a traditionally published author can be the toughest job that you should love, but getting rich probably isn't going to happen.
Subscribe if you are interested in receiving tips and more. Grove Street Ezine offers industry insight from reliable sources.
Thankfulness and Faith
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/bloggertime?mode=mobile&origin=emailnxnnx
Knowledge and Joy
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/issuu_ezine2?mode=mobile&origin=emaile
Mompreneurs
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/mompreneurjanuarygrovestreete-zine?mode=mobile
The Spice Pages
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/february_s_spice_pages_issue_for_grove_street
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/blackhistorypagesgrovestreet-1
Our fan page
http://m.facebook.com/pages/Grove-Street-ezine/518403934865920?id=518403934865920&_rdr
If you need marketing or in depth consulting, look me up.
surgemarketinggroup.com
Friday, February 15, 2013
Grove Street's Spice Pages Edition is now available.
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/february_s_spice_pages_issue_for_grove_street?mode=mobile&origin=email
The lead article features Zane. We also have information about the romance genre, digital publishing trends, news about Carl Weber signing in Maryland, Karlyn LeBlanc, romance advice, AC Arthur and more news for readers and authors.
If you experience problems with the mobile link above, you can find us on Issuu.com. Search words: Grove Street
The lead article features Zane. We also have information about the romance genre, digital publishing trends, news about Carl Weber signing in Maryland, Karlyn LeBlanc, romance advice, AC Arthur and more news for readers and authors.
If you experience problems with the mobile link above, you can find us on Issuu.com. Search words: Grove Street
Thursday, December 13, 2012
I pitch until I'm purple.
My son is screaming in my ear. It's difficult writing while parenting a toddler alone, but God gives me the strength. My little bundle of energy and I compete to use my laptop. He already loves books. Before I can fathom publishing a children's books, my current manuscripts need homes. Pitching is a long process that depends on having the right thing at the right time. Oh, and sending it to an editor who is willing to read it. I just pitched my first romance novelette. Where it goes, who knows. I've turned from purple to blue from writing so much. I plan on turning all of my latest manuscripts into digital books. Yes, it has come to this. Getting another deal seems impossible. Maybe I should make a deal with myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)