SELF PUBLISHING - Hell or Heaven?

There's only one way to tackle
SELF-PUBLISHING

TELL IT LIKE IT IS!

 Just because I look sweet and harmless - don't be fooled!
I'm one tough broad when it come to books and self- publishing.
ROAR-R-R-R-R!

So, let's break it down into your reasons for going this route in the first place.

and

MY REBUTTAL

• You are fed up with the rejection, and waiting months-and-months to discover your book is unworthy.  And one bathroom papered in rejection slips is ENOUGH!
  Maybe there's a good reason WHY you keep getting those rejections

• You think it will be a lot easier than snaring a traditional publisher.
  That noise is me rolling on the floor - hysterical !

• You've read lots of books, and you can write a better story than most - you think!
  Would you ask a man with no plumbing experience or training to quell the flood in your basement?  NO you say!  Then WHY think someone (you) without proper skills and knowledge, can write and self publish a successful book?

• Several publishers with nice looking websites are vying for your business.      
  Oh dear! RUN to the closest Predators and Editors, and dive in to save your sanity and your money!
  
  

 ARE YOU BEGINNING TO GET THE PICTURE?

 

Understand that the competition is fierce. Meet the competition. Every person in the world is absolutely sure they can write a best seller. Most have no talent and no clue - but that doesn't stop them from writing and self-publishing and opus or two. If you want your book to rise like the cream in the proverbial milk jug, you have to master 4x things.

FIRST - Master the craft of writing well.
This takes time - patience - networking among published writers - picking brains - lots of rewriting,
and input from a really dedicated critique group.

SECOND - Editing - You can only do so much yourself. When you and your crit group feel it is as polished as you can make it, that is the time to shell out the bucks needed, and have a qualified person EDIT IT.

THIRD - Learn the tricks of the self-publishing game - or DIE a lingering death!
Take the time to research and mine the copious information available on many writing and self publishing lists. Ask questions, delve deep - especially if you want to print in paper as well as on Kindle, Nook etc. Ask those you know who they used, and who is the best in the field of self- publishing.  Research printers, paper, and prices, prices, prices! This is BUYER BEWARE territory.  No use crying later, if you didn't do your homework BEFORE you chose that !@#$ publisher, or stumbled through the process yourself, ill- equipped and in a funk!

FORTH - the art of promotion.
Remember one thing.  Your book will eventually be finished, edited and published.  BUT -  promotion never ends! It means searching for clubs, organizations, blogs, groups, bookstores, reviewers, interviewers, newspapers, schools, niche markets etc. These and MORE, are places where readers who might buy your book hang out.  Become a literary bloodhound. Develop a NOSE for tracking down potential customer sites. Make a name for yourself and your book in our present day Social Networking Jungle -  + create a SUPER bog. 

Learn how to write a HOT and succinct Press Release. Discover the gentle art of twisting arms and cajoling favors. Create cute bookmarks and business cards that spread the word - YOU ARE AN AUTHOR!  Track down the niche markets your book fits and be relentless. Send them that perfect Press Release. Follow up with a phone call. Pay a visit.  Like a great car salesman - never take NO for an answer.  Bribe them with freebies, your valuable time, or a writing competition might work - whatever it takes.

If you have them, conscript friends and relatives.  E-mail them cute promos for your book and where it can be purchased.  Ask them to send it to friends, and every Social Network they are on. Think out of the box! Virtual Book Tours, author interviews, and ordinary blog promotion has become a big YAWN!  And never forget your pages and profile on Kindle, Nook, and elsewhere.  UPDATE often.
 
WOW! Are you out of breath reading this?  I am, just writing it all. Am I doing all this stuff for
"The Revenge of Thelma Hill,"  the ghost mystery I self-published, with help and cover art from  Agy Wilson? 

Hell no!  Are you out of your mind.  I'm telling you how it SHOULD be done if you were 20 years younger, and 30 pounds lighter than me. Blimey, mate, I have palpitations just thinking about all this - and I only hit the high points!

 

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If you enjoyed this, 

Next week we'll dabble in the waters of how to . . .

WRITE A BOOK THAT
GRABS READERS BY THE THROAT.

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Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

 My  FREE 13x BOOK CATALOG:
http://tinyurl.com/d8ppylg

FREE "Sneak Peek" inside 8x of my books
http://tinyurl.com/8qw44al

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EDITING for Self Publishers + the Gentle Art of a Professional Critique.

 Let me introduce you to the gentle
art of Professional Critiquing. . .

 For more in-depth details: 
Manuscript Critique Services

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What follows is for those considering

self-publishing:

 When you self-publish, you do not have access to the FREE editing services provided by a traditional publisher.   You must PAY for EDITING.   A good professional edit means a quality book that has a fine chance of garnering glowing reviews. . . . plus SALES!

First, join an online critique group for the genre you write, and pick their brains. Crit groups will also know the reviewers, bloggers, and best places to promote your book.  Most successful authors today work with other writers of their genre, and offer each other feedback and support. Online writing groups usually have many private crit groups formed among their members; 4-6 writers who support and advise each other regarding their manuscripts.  They can often tell you if the publisher you chose is legititimale or NOT.


After your crit group agrees your manuscript is as good as you can make it, have your book professionally edited. No one can successfully self-edit their own book for self-publication. You need a fresh professional eye that knows how to spot plot weaknesses, typos, and characters that are not rich and powerful. A pro edit is expensive, but it makes all the difference between an amateur attempt, and a book that sells.

It takes time to build a platform and find the right contacts and places to promote your book. You have to master the art of tight and terrific Press Releases, set up a great blog that lists your book, cover, and where and how it can be purchased + plus add regular information about yourself and where you will be promoting it. Search out local book stores that will let you do signings. Research book fairs and other events where you and your book will be welcome.

Contact Newspapers, bookstores, TV and radio in your area, and try for interviews and pictures of your book. Those online groups I mentioned earlier can help you find the right place to host a Virtual Tour for you and your book - lots of interviews, pictures and reviews of your book go into these Virtual tours, but you have to find the right company to set it up.

 We writers tend to be insestuous - we promote among other writers.  This is good - up to a point.  However you need to get known to the ordinary buying public.  A good Virtual Tour will also have access to  places where buyers of books hang out. They will make sure your interviews, reviews  and Press Releases go to the right blogs, newspapers and radio stations.  You will pay for a Virtual Book tour like this, but it will preach to those who might buy your book - not just those who already know you write books.

Get known as a writer of a specific genre on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and other sites that are book related in general. Networking is the name of the game. It takes time to build a following, brand yourself as a writer, and discover the right places to promote yourself and your book. It takes time, money, and LOTS of energy to successfully promote a book.

I know. I had three new books published early this year, and I am still running the Promo Game like a crazy lady - and mine were traditionally published!!

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Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

Virtual School Visits
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

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