Saturday, September 26, 2009

Self-publishing vs traditional publishing

Self publishing, which includes paperless electronic publishing, is a route being taken by thousands of writers, many of whom have become frustrated trying to find an agent or a publisher.
Here's the challenge:
With self-publishing, you pay a company to edit, layout, create a cover, and print a certain quantity of your book. (Hopefully you have a dining room or guest room available for storage).
When it comes to marketing, you are totally on your own. And yes, you can create a website, offer your book through Amazon, then hit the road and promote your book with lectures, book signings, attending book fairs, searching out book reviewers, mentioning your title on book blogs, even locating an e-book distributor (along with Amazon) who promotes books and takes a % of sales. You'll find lots of information in the many "how to self-publish and self-market" books.
Self-published books are not, at present, sold by the major book store chains. Why? Because most simply don't measure up to the standards of content, editing, and design that book stores demand. They don't sell.
Becoming your own sales force brings up a major life question: do you want to stop writing to focus on selling?
Certain circumstances are perfect for self-publishing; writers who want to have their manuscripts published as part of their family history or writers who craft "nitch" books and know exactly how to reach their market. For example, I know a couple who developed travel techniques specifically for "pop-op" trailers. They sell books at travel shows, work with manufacturers of these trailers, and run ads in magazines catering to the "pop-up" camping market.
To educate yourself more fully about self-publishing, check out the programs at Lulu.com and Amazon's Createspace.com.

How to ask the Query Wizard a question

Sorry, the wizard is no longer answering questions on this blog. However, her replacement, Molli Nickell, is available at www.getpublishenow.biz.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Is it a good idea to reveal, in my query, that I’ve written four unpublished novels?

No, no, no, and no. The number of novels you’ve written are not important at this point. What is important is the fabulous-ness of the one you’re marketing. You can discuss other novels with the agent after you’ve agreed to work together. Sometimes, after the first novel is on the path to publication, past works can be resurrected, revised, and sold. Suggest, in your third paragraph (which is all about you) that you comment how you’ve been honing your craft and writing for xx years and participate in a critique groups, attend conferences etc. Describe the actions you’re taking to become a more skillful writer. That counts!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Should I begin my query by introducing myself?

Start with your story. Agents won’t basically care about you until after they become interested in what you have to offer. You could be an ax murderer, and if you’ve written a compelling book, they’ll be interested in representing you.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

When's the best time to begin writing a query letter?

Oddly enough, the most advantageous time to begin working on your query letter is once you've written your first draft and/or are still revising your manuscript. Remember, the query contains the "core" of your story (assuming you're writing fiction). In the process of determining what this is, you'll discover aspects that may need revision.

Many writers come to me with queries that don't work. During my evaluation process, I discover the problem is not their queries, but the stories they represent. There's a problem with the plot, characterization, pacing, tension, etc. As revisions improve the story, they also improve the quality of the the query letter.

For non-fiction writers, once you have your book outlined, practice writing a query to be sure your topic is clearly presented and written in a manner that will appeal to your market.

Friday, September 11, 2009

What to submit in a magazine query

Magazine queries often can be submitted with the article itself. In this case, the query becomes more of a brief query/cover letter telling about the article in a sentence or two and including your background. Or, if you're asked to query first, use the basic three-paragraph format. The first tells what you have written about. Second paragraph expands about the article and how readers will benefit from reading it. Third paragraph shares background information about you and why you are qualified to write about this subject. The most successful manner of querying to any magazine is to follow their instructions and send them what they ask for!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Query mistake: "This is my first manuscript"

Do not ever, ever, ever, ever make the comment, “this is my first novel.” Write it so well it won’t matter if you have written 100 novels or zero. Everybody has to start somewhere, including J.K. Rowlings (Harry Potter). She had no writing background when she sold her first book. What she had (and still has) is tremendous talent and determination to tell her stories to the world.

Once you've established a relationship with your agent, then you can tell him/her. But in the meantime, zip it! Making that "true confessions" statement smacks of AMATEUR, AMATEUR! REJECT! REJECT! and guarantees your query a quick trip to delete-ville.


Wednesday, September 2, 2009