Preface:
So you want to be an author?

You found your muse. Maybe she woke you at night, caressing your cortex with a novel idea that you think everyone in the world should read. You spent countless hours pounding away on a typewriter, computer or scribbling across napkins and receipts. You read, re-read, revised and perfected your masterpiece. You sit back and sigh. Then you look at the ceiling. You look at the floor. You look at the cat who stares back at you with an expression that says what are you looking at? I’m just a cat.

You have your manuscript so what now?

You then hop online and search for hours. You go to the library or bookstore and find books on publishing. You ask everyone you know what steps you should take. Unfortunately, you hear one thing from some people and something completely different from others.

Do you listen to the person who’s been rejected by several publishers several times or do you listen to the self-published novelist? Do you listen to Aunt Bertha who knows everything about everything? Who do you listen to? What advice do you follow?

Many authors either don’t find the answers they are looking for or they find the wrong answers. The literary industry is abundant with misinformation and downright lies. Companies misrepresent themselves to make a buck off the back of hard working and desperate authors trying to see a dream come true.

This book evolved because I work as a literary publicist and help authors get attention from media. As I talk to the authors I work with, I find that professionals in the literary industry mislead authors, sometimes unintentionally, but usually uninformed authors are taken advantage of to the tune of thousands of dollars. Sometimes it is an uninformed friend leading the author astray with misinformation read on the Internet but some of the most common problems I encounter are from companies implying promises they never intend to keep.

When you consider that there are approximately 30,000 self-published books released each month, you understand that taking advantage of authors is a multi-billion dollar industry! As I have been researching authors who self-publish, I have discovered that each author invests an average of $3,000 into publishing each book. If you do the math, that is around 90 million dollars spent each month for publishing services.

Unsuspecting authors’ dreams are crushed every day, and many times they don’t even know it yet. One author was sure he would sell thousands of copies of his book with my help. I had to explain to him that his cover price and return status would prevent that from being a reality.

In addition, of the authors who spent an average of $3,000 to publish their book, the majority did not make back more then a couple hundred dollars. They added thousands of dollars of debt to credit cards and couldn’t even recoup a tenth in sales.

These publishing companies, of course, do not mention on their websites that their authors are struggling to pay off credit card debt and are losing their homes. They only highlight the authors who by luck or intense planning were able to overcome the publishing obstacles the publisher sets up.

This situation inspired me to start a blog dealing with the end ramifications of making the wrong publishing choices. My thought is that when authors can go into the literary world with their eyes wide open, I don’t have to break the hard reality of the marketability of their masterpiece to them later.

I realize that authors have a variety of motivations behind publishing their writing. I have broken these authors into three categories: the best-seller hopefuls, the make-a-buck group and the writers for posterity.

The best-seller hopefuls are dedicated to creating a literary masterpiece to which millions of readers flock. These writers typically take writing classes, join writers’ groups and guilds and refine their craft as much as their life permits. These authors typically edit, re-edit and edit again diligently before even letting another person review their manuscript. Once they feel good about what they write, they take the time to research the industry and find the publishing houses and agents they want to work with. Then best-seller hopefuls approach the companies on their list after researching the key personnel that cover their book’s topic. They wait out the years and years to see their book in print.

Make-a-buck authors typically love writing and have great ideas that pop into their heads. There are two main types of make-a-buck authors; Those who have an idea they want the world to hear and those who are developing their product around a lecture series or other income stream.

The authors who are spreading an idea are excited about writing but don’t put in the hours, days, weeks, months and years to really flesh out their ideas or their content like a best-seller hopeful. The authors who are basing their product around an alternative stream of income won’t turn down sales through traditional channels like bookstores but focus on marketing to those engaged in the other stream of income. For example, a financial adviser might write a book about retirement or investing. He or she is using the book as a resume and uses it to establish him or herself as an expert. The main stream of income is the financial advising and the book is a tool to gain more clientele and consumer confidence.

Writers for posterity are those writers who created a book for their children to read and need a way to bind their creation for their family. These authors are not very interested in sales to strangers. It is not about the money. It is about leaving a legacy so grandchildren and great-grandchildren can know about them after they have passed away.

Produce, Publish, Publicize is for all groups of writers. At the end of each chapter, I speak to the different groups and spell out how important each section is based on each type of authors’ goals. Most companies out there will fit one or more group and if you know your goals you will be able to find the correct company that will assist you in reaching those goals.

This book is also divided into three sections that break down the essential parts of selling books. They are writing, publishing and publicity. I have searched out and interviewed the top-professionals in the various fields from publishing to book buying. This book is a culmination of several minds working towards a common goal: helping aspiring authors avoid the scams and traps scattered everywhere in the literary industry.

Section 1: Writing

Writing your book

Being a published author is the dream of an estimated 83% of the adult population in America. It is a long process filled with many, many choices; the first of which is what to write about! Maybe you were born to talk about a particular subject or maybe you have gained expertise over the years in a certain field.

Either way, to have a book, you need to write. That is a daunting task in itself. In our busy lives, who has the time to sit down regularly and type away at the computer for an hour or two each night? The process of editing is a long and arduous task that takes effort and dedication.

I have been asked for three years to write this book. I can attest that sitting down and typing away for hours at a time can be overwhelming. It is a long process but when done correctly, it is worth every minute of effort.

I encourage everyone who has something to write to write it. There is technology to assist almost anyone’s handicap to enable them to write. There are special keyboards, voice recognition software programs and even devices for people to type without arms! You can view a few options available through Maltron Keyboards on their website www.maltron.com.
The desire to communicate is a universal drive and if there is a will, there is a way.

Where to Start

Obviously, every author must start with an idea. For fiction, you need to have an original idea that has interesting twists and engaging characters. For non-fiction you need information that people want.
If you are writing non-fiction, it helps if you also figure out a way to communicate the information in a unique, enjoyable manner. For example, Jack’s Notebook by Gregg Fraley (Thomas Nelson, 2007) is a non-fiction book teaching business creativity concepts. Instead of creating a dry, difficult book full of complicated business jargon, author Gregg Fraley used a story line to teach his concepts. Because of his brilliant delivery, his book is used in college and university business courses.
If you are writing non-fiction, take the time to find a compelling way to deliver your concepts.

Original Ideas:
genre
1 : a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content 2 : kind, sort 3 : painting that depicts scenes or events from everyday life usually realistically

Every story has a general genre. Figure out what your genre is and then start reading. Read the classics in your genre as well as the modern releases. When you have read enough, you can get a feel for what paths have been taken already and sometimes ideas that are over done. The best part of this "research" is that new ideas can spring into your mind.

A new idea is not the same story with a different name for the lead character but instead a whole new way to handle the crisis part of the story. The basic outline for plotlines has been studied and depending on the researcher, there are 30-48 plotlines in the world.

Think about that. There are millions of books and movies in the world. They all fit into the limited number of basic outlines. What differs if you. What differs is the reflection of life’s experiences you bring to the story.

For example: There are many fantasy stories involving magic. Why is Harry Potter successful? There are several new ideas J.K. Rowling brought in to make Harry a household name. The main ideas of finding out you have magic and the struggle between good and evil are old ideas. They aren't enough. Harry found out that he had magic and there was a present-day school he could attend.

Most children today secretly wish they would receive a letter of invitation to Hogwarts, delivered via owl, tomorrow. Most adults secretly wish they received one on their 11th birthday. While there are many stories of magic in ancient times or on other planets, this story appealed to the masses because it is a “here and now” twist on old themes. Of course, this was not the only aspect that made Harry Potter a revolutionary idea but the concept illustrates my point. Find a unique twist and set yourself apart.

When you have a new idea, tell a few people about it who enjoy the genre. I had an idea pop into my head for a science fiction story but when I started to explain it to my brother who is a big science-fiction fan, he told me that the story line had already been done on a TV show I don't watch. Yes, it was a let down but I'm glad he told me before a heartless editor did. (They're really not heartless but I'll get to that later.)

After you have done your extensive research and found an original idea that your local "experts" have checked off, you need to think about the characters in your story. Until you become best friends with your characters, you really don't know them and can't write about them effectively. Why does the hero wear a watch? Does your villain have a tic? Why did your damsel in distress become distressed? Maybe you don't need to know the life story of the bartender that serves one drink in Chapter 13 and is never seen again but delve deeply into the inner psyche of the main people you are going to follow around in your story.

Once you have your characters figured out completely, think about the scenes. Think about what they are going to do in your story and when. Visualize the locations. Is there a signed picture of Marilyn Monroe hanging on the wall of the office of the private eye? How many columns are in the front of the castle your prince resides in? Until you have a clear picture, your readers will not have the visualization needed to immerse in a story.
You're probably thinking, "When am I going to write?" This is the point. You know your characters; you know where your characters are. Now write the first few chapters of your masterpiece.

Telling a Story vs. Showing a Story

A concept I have been teaching a friend of mine is the difference between telling someone what happened and showing them what happened.

When you tell someone what happened, it can be as simple as: Jack ran. You have communicated the idea you want your reader to have. Jack moved from one location to another. However, the way you communicate Jack’s movement directly impacts the reader’s enjoyment and metal picture.

To illustrate my point, compare:

Jack saw his mark and ran to catch him.

To:

Jack crouched in the alley behind a rusty green dumpster. He scrunched his nose and breathed through his mouth to avoid the lingering musk of week old garbage. He scanned the area closely looking for his mark. Jack spotted the man in the black trench coat and red checkered scarf. He surveyed the area around his mark closely looking up, left and right for snipers or anyone tailing his mark. No one else showed any interest in the mark so Jack burst from his hiding place in pursuit of his target. His long, athletic strides quickly closed the gap between the two men.

The essence of both excerpts is the same. They both communicate to the reader that Jack saw his target and both say he ran to catch him. However, the second example shows the reader what is happening and where. It gives the reader a picture to visualize.

Look through your writing and find the places that simply tell the reader what is happening. Replace those sections with a narrative that shows the reader.

*************************
Thank you for reading this excerpt from Produce, Publish, Publicize. Is this information valuable to you? I have marketing tips for writers at my website www.sabrinasumsion.com. Stop by and check out my tips as well as buy your signed copy of Produce, Publish, Publicize. I have a free gift for anyone who orders through my website!

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 03.03.2010

Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Widmung:
“…with God all things are possible.” –Matthew 19:26 The Lord gave me the opportunities and ability to learn and understand the complex world of publishing. I would be remiss to ignore his obvious hand in helping me develop Produce, Publish, Publicize. This book would also not be possible if several loving people had not supported me and my dreams. Thank you to my husband for his limitless patience. Thank you to my parents who gave me confidence. Thank you to Lea for introducing me to literary publicity. Thank you to Jack for feeding my huge dreams. Thank all of you who reviewed my manuscript and helped me refine my message. Especially, thank you Kristopher Miller for your insightful comments and corrections. Thank you to Victorine Lieske for creating my amazing cover. It is compelling and eye catching. Thank you to my children for the joy they bring me every single day. Thank you to the fellow dreamers who slave with pen, paper, keyboard and audio software. I cannot even begin to describe the amazing places I have visited, the potent emotions and laughter you have brought me through your amazing books.