Publishing Your First Book

This particular subject has been on my mind lately, primarily because I am constantly taking in new clients who are anxious to publish their first book.

I love that they are anxious because publishing a book is no easy feat. That is why many readers out there who think 'they can do it' often - don't .

But writing your first book can present some difficulties and more than a couple of questions. Here are four I hear the most:



How long will my book take to be published once you have the manuscript?

Traditional publishers usually give you a year, but even with Idea Creations Press, you're looking at from 3-6 months depending on where you manuscript is sitting when we receive it.

Have you had beta readers read your book and give you some constructive criticism? Have you done as much editing as reasonably possible? That is, without destroying the heart and soul, your unique voice?

We receive manuscripts at all levels of the continuum, from those that need multiple edits, to those somewhere in the middle, to those as squeaky clean as a baby's bottom - the latter, those that can go through the process that much faster are rare, though honestly, every manuscript I've ever received from a writer has needed some editing.

How many books will I sell?

That all depends on you. And that all depends on how many more books you're going to write. Currently, the fantasy genre is popular, but that will not always be the case. Write what you love, not what's popular, and you'll find yourself that much more eager to write another book. Your book will sell as you promote it online and in person. (Check out my book, Marketing Your Book on a Budget, to learn more). As you publish more books and your name gets out there - you will get a following - you will illicit even more sales. But you have to put yourself out there, and you will not - I repeat - will not be a best seller overnight. Of course there are writers that sneak through the cracks, but this is the exception and not the rule.

Should I put my book in book stores?

I don't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. You need to remember that placing your book in a bookstore does not guarantee more sales, what it does give you is placement in a store. If certain employees like your book they may sell it, but it will sit on the shelf like the others, and most books are shelved spine out. That means if someone isn't looking for your book they probably won't pick it up. Early on, after my first book was published (and it was in Barnes and Noble) I decided that perhaps selling in bookstores wasn't all it was cracked up to be - at least for me, and at least not for now. When I decided to back up and take a look, I realized that my greatest success was from readers purchasing my book online, and those times I spoke to groups or did a book signing away from a book store. When I was the most creative, and did something unexpected (like a book signing at a boutique) that's when I gleaned the most interest.

When should I write my second book?

Once your first book is out, or even before it is out, if you have an idea for a second book, get started on it. Some writers produce a book a year, I usually do two - along with the update of my marketing book. Decide on a timeline that works for you. Especially if you have a series, readers will want to get their hands on the second book as soon as possible.



Writing your first book is a little like buying your first home. There are many things you don't have, things you want, but the money may not be there. It's okay that you learn as you go, that you discover how best to market with little or no money. That you spend time talking with other writers to learn what they do to connect with their readers. In time, as in that first home, the rooms will fill with precious and life long treasures.

Struggling to Get Published?

Okay, so you're tired of dealing with the miss-spelled words, the awkward sentences, the paragraphs that need to be shifted, the chapters taken out, the character's weeded, the setting upgraded, the plot - fixed, and let's see, you're tired of this run-on sentence.

If you've tried and failed to be perfect at your writing and failed, welcome to the club - the Sunshine Club.

The Sunshine Club is for all of those writers who have tried and failed at writing, and may not, as of yet, published a book although it's been roughly 10 years since their writing journey began.

Ten years??

Ten years isn't actually that long. I can honestly say it took me longer than ten to get my first book published. My first article was published eight years after taking pen to paper, and my first book came say, fifteen years after that.

Granted, I did do a lot of journalism during that time (which has really helped me through the years I'll tell you) and I went to college and obtained my degree in Mass Communication. But I had to wait quite a few years to see that first book in print.

I was at the Sunshine Club quite a few years with my fellow writers, struggling to get something published. We would weep on each other's shoulders, talk about the mean and nasty editors and/or agents until our lips were blue, and whined about how hard everything was, how terribly long it was taking.

And then someone quite friendly in the group would say, "Well, you know, you can't expect to get published until you've been through the work."

And I thought, I couldn't help it but I thought, "Well, what about those famous people who have never written a word in their life, who get published right away because of their name?"

Of course I know now that famous people don't count. Not that their books aren't occasionally - good, it's just that they're on a different path than most writers who have to prove something to even get a casual look see.


And, honestly, there is something quite amazing to be said for a writer who has struggled and learned and struggled some more before someone actually sees them.

If you are willing to stick it out when times are tough, when no one will read your stuff, or everyone tells you your stuff is great even though they've probably never read it, or worse, have read it but don't want to hurt your feelings by telling you the truth. If you're willing to stick your neck out and admit that your story, book, or article could be better, and are more than willing to learn from your mistakes. If you're willing to trash an entire scene, an entire chapter, an entire book that isn't going to make the grade...

Then guess what?

You're a writer.

See you at the Sunshine Club.

League of Utah Writer's Conference

Need some help with your first novel? What to learn the intricacies of short story telling or non-fiction?

Then you'll not want to miss the League of Utah Writer's Conference.

It starts today and continues through tomorrow. Yes, you can still sign up at the door and get in on most of the fun including meeting with an editor or agent.

I will be around on SATURDAY so you might want to look me up at one of the sales tables. I would LOVE to discuss with you your new book whether it be fiction or nonfiction. If you're ready to have your work published, or just about, Idea Creations Press will be there to answer your questions and to give you a special 'conference only' deal.

I will also have my books for purchase at a discount and free gifts!

Please come by. I would love to meet you.

Kathryn

Newest book
published by Idea Creations Press

Newest Kindle pamphlet on Book Marketing:

Only .99 cents!

Selling Your Manuscript

I've entitled this post, "Selling Your Manuscript" because there are many varying manuscripts as there are people in the world. But one thing is a definite: How to submit your manuscript depending on WHERE you're sending that manuscript.

Allow me to explain:

Photo by NS Newsflash, courtesy of Flickr

Newspaper:

If you're selling your piece to a newspaper, you need to get the attention of a busy editor and so a quick email spelling out who you'd like to interview, the connections you have to that interview, and what the editor can expect to receive in quality from your piece is what is in order here. If something has happened in the community, that story has to get to the editor--quick--you don't have a week to write it. If the piece is "green" meaning it can be placed in the paper at any time, you have a bit more time, but not more than a couple of weeks.

Photo by Chatirygirl, courtesy of Flickr

Magazine:

A magazine needs a query letter, and usually a letter that is mailed snail-mail before you send over the piece. A magazine has restrictions on length, type of article, and so on. Purchasing a Writer's Market is always a good idea (for magazine or book writing) so that you can direct the query letter to a specific person. The same is true if you are sending an email to a newspaper editor. Get it to the right place, and never offer "Dear Editor," as your opening line unless you've exhausted ALL resources in finding their name. If you need to know more about writing a query letter, stayed tuned for tomorrow. I will be writing all about that.

Photo by: miss.libertine, courtesy of Flickr

Book Publisher:

An editor at a book publishing firm may want a query letter first where you "sell" your work. He/she may prefer a cover letter and the first three chapters of a manuscript. He/she may say, "Send the entire manuscript," but this is the exception rather than the rule. Most often you will send a query letter describing your book, the market for your book, etc. I will explain more about COVER LETTERS on Monday.

An editor can usually tell the difference between a NEW writer and an ESTABLISHED writer, especially when their guidelines are followed--or not. Make sure you become a sudden expert at what you are doing by following the guidelines they share. Experiment on writing query letters and cover letters before sending them out, and always ready yourself for that "Yes, I would like to see your completed manuscript."

Because the letter will come.