The First Steps Before Self-Publshing
Posted: Monday, April 20, 2009
by Mike Fak
http://mikefak.com
Thanks for the feedback on my last article. I received several notes on the personal e-mail side and in all communications the essence of the comments was "can you tell me more'.
Now I am by no means an expert in the field but I did pop out a small book twenty years ago and have been in the writing pits in some form since the 60s. I don't mind sharing info so here are a few more things to consider when thinking about self-publishing.
Now there is nothing to be embarrassed about by using a vanity publisher. I have on several occasions just handled the entire process myself and I imagine that is as egotistical as a writer can get. The difference is I don't place myself under any illusion that either I or my latest books are something more than what we are.
A writer must also understand where they are in the experience and skill process. Like Jeff Brown mentioned in a previous comment, writing to a point of quality takes time and effort besides just skill.
Yes, from time to time a first-time author makes it big but the numbers on that happening to most of us are not something to bet the farm on or to spend thousands of dollars with a vanity publisher.Wanting to be a good writer doesn't make one so. Working hard at it is the first requirement of a successful self-published book.
I always recommend a writer first determine their market. Is the book something that their own friends, relatives and acquaintances will be interested in reading? Banking on significant numbers of complete strangers to buy your book usually doesn't happen in the print on demand book world. I once helped a new writer that belonged to an extremely large church. The book was about finding her way and she sold thousands of copies because there was an audience wanting to read what their friend at the church had to say. In this case, vanity publishing was exceptionally profitable for her.
Now if you don't have a large initial audience it is better to build one first. Blogs, article submissions, using content sites such as Searchwarp can create numbers of new acquaintances that are needed before your book can bring in any significant sales numbers. Building a reader base is important before you self-publish, not after.
You also have to make sure your book is properly edited. This can be a real expense if the manuscript is large and I recommend you use friends first to find the obvious flaws you haven't seen.
Unlike a news article or article in a content site, a book is where a writer needs to really create the entire package. I like to use the analogy that a book is like a movie. Too often, a new writer has the sound to the movie but the reader can't picture anything they read. Descriptions of people places and things are extremely important in a book as you see them but the reader doesn't unless you describe everything to us.
A friend can help tell you what is missing in your manuscript and should be a first stop before soliciting a professional editor who will charge you for their time.
The cost of a professional edit should be proportional to your word count. The sites and vanity publishers that state they will correct grammar for $99 should tell you they are just running you through a spell check. No pro can spend hours on your manuscript for that small of a cost.
Just how much should you pay? We can talk about that when we visit again.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Mike,Great advice, once again. And I'd highly, highly advise lots of writing classes or lots of self-training in the areas of writing basics. Many dream of being the next big thing but few are wiling to put in the necessary sweat. What's the old saying? 90% perspiration 10% inspiration?What I find problematic with many untrained or beginning writers is a lack of attention to detail. When you're in print, because words are stationary and permanent (until deleted, trashed or burned) mistakes stand out like a sore thumb. I not only find beginning writers making basic errors in diction, sentence structure, punctuation (a biggie!), verb / pronoun antecedent agreement and such, but also just sentence sense. Just basic logic problems, unnecessary repetition, overstating, poor focus, cliches, etc.And even before anyone goes to an editor they need to be an editor themselves; that is if they are taking this writing business seriously. No writer should rely on an editor to know the basic rules. Editors are there to catch the mistakes one makes when writing 40, 50, 60 thousand words or more manuscripts, and to make suggestions, not as a substitute for knowing rules.Bottom line, writing is a time-consuming, trying, challenging, and often poorly payed business. If you don't have the passion, vision, or stamina, best to go back to sleep and dream on. ;=)Thanks for the article, Mike. Once again, great job!Thanks Jeff. More sage advice for all the Warpies out there.Mike
Some good advice, Mike. I'm still undecided just which way I will go with my next book. As I have used a traditional publisher, I have thought about self-publishing or POD. My publisher, of course, has first dibs on my next book; but I don't have to accept their offer; so we'll see.Thanks for the good info and will be looking for more.SandraThanks Sandra. I'm sure you will make the best decision as you always come across as level-headed.Mike
I'm grateful to get the information I was interested in from someone I trust to "tell it like it is." Thank you for this series, Mike. I'm in for the distance. *smile*Thank you Avis.I especially appreciate the word "trust".Mike
Another piece of great advice, Mike. You're helping more people in more ways than you may realize, speaking of those who are very serious about authorship as a source of income and a means of impacting "their world". Much of what you write here about self-publishing rings a familiar bell. And to offer such sound advice at no charge to the SearchWarp community is just priceless. Thanks much for your generous spirit. ~mogama~Thank you Mogama.It isn't a lot or perhaps enough but maybe it can help a few new writers slow down enough to make sure they have the best chance.Mike
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