Writing
Your First Book
I am not certain where
you are in the writing process (a completed manuscript, just beginning to
write, etc), however, here are some tips to consider:
If you have a
completed manuscript, you will need to find a professional editor that will be
able to critique and edit your book. A proofreader to read for any errors. A
copyeditor once all the edits and proofreading is complete, to prepare your
book in a publishing format. You will also need a graphic designer to design a
book cover. A website designer to build a website. You will also need to decide
if you are going the self-publishing route, or the traditional route.
Marketing
You will also need to
think of a way you plan on marketing your book. What many folks fail to take
into consideration when they go traditional publishing, is that they still have
to market the book themselves in some way. And marketing begins before you even
send your book to your editor. Once you have a book cover created, and you have
applied for the copyright of your work (a copyright can be submitted for the
unedited version, or the completed edited version of your book), you can begin
to market the work yourself (this is if you are self-publishing). And before
you submit your work to a traditional publisher, always copyright your work
first!
Find ways to market
your book through social media and in person via libraries, coffee shops,
grocery stores etc.
Financing My First Book
I've also shared in
the below article published on my website, some important things to consider,
as well as ways you can finance the publishing of your book Financing
My First Book.
Being a Successful Author
Being a successful author
depends on the author in him or herself. Not because a particular author is
successful in one genre, does not guarantee that another author publishing in
the same genre will be successful.
Things to Lookout For
Some things to lookout
for are publishing companies that are swift to say that your manuscript has
been accepted and they would like to publish your book, but then ask you to send
them a payment upfront to publish the book. A true publishing company will have
read the manuscript cover to cover, and offer feedback, as well as PAY YOU an
incentive or advance to have them publish your book, not the other way around.
A publishing company
should provide a breakdown of what they will offer you, all laid out in the
contract. Read the contract very carefully before signing, and ask questions on
anything that you do not understand. If such company cannot provide you with a
clear explanation to your questions, and you are not comfortable with the
answers, then do not sign the contract until you are satisfied.
A publishing company
should also provide you with a breakdown of how many copies of your book that
they will provide you, as well as a specific format in how they will provide
your monthly sales report (a legit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., sales
report). If the company cannot provide such, chances are, you are being swindled
out of your royalties.
If you choose to go
the self-publishing route, you would not have to worry about the things a
publishing company is supposed to provide, because you can now get those on
your own.
This may seem like a
lot of information now, however, it will all make sense once you are in the
actual process of submitting your book to your editor, getting the critiquing
and proofreading report, revising the edits that was provided to you, and so on.
Hope this helps. If
you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at either
of the options below.
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