Walking the Path of a REAL Writer

Last night I had a difficult time sleeping. Suffice it to say I had a dream where all of my books had been safely deposited in the trash.

I wonder what brought on that sort of dream. But as I recall my journey of being published, I can't help but recall my particular journey, and I say MY because we all have our own personal writing journey to walk.



Not all of us will be self-published.

Not all of us will find that national publisher to take on our works.

Not all of us will have an agent.

Not all of us will sell loads of copies of our books the first time out the gate.

Not all of us will sell our books in bookstores.

Not all of us will want to spend the time selling our books outside a bookstore.

Not all of us will market like we should; we'd rather write after all.

Not all of us will be able to afford a publicist, or someone to market our work.

Not all of us will get on that coveted site.

Not all of us will

 get all
 5 star reviews.



Hopefully, you get my drift. In the walk we do on the path we are blessed with, not one of us will walk the same path, and that's okay. God has something wonderful, groovy if you will, in store for each of us.

And I am happy to be walking the path he has chosen for me.

Kathryn

What Gets Readers to Read Your Book?

Recently, I spoke at a writer's meeting and shared with the group some of my marketing ideas. At the start of the class I read a list that I'd obtained from Goodreads regarding a poll that was taken. The poll offered some insights.

Photo by: zimpenfish, courtesy of Flickr

The books that were polled were Gone Girl and The Night Circus, and the question was:

 

What Convinced You to Read the Book?

Here's the list:

1. Trusted Friend
2. Everyone talking about it
3. Book club
4. Goodreads - reviews
5. On "Best" lists
6. Sample read
7. Amazon reviews
8. Goodreads Choice Awards
9. Liked Author's books
10. Book blurb
11. Cover

Now, I was at first surprised at this list. I mean, when was the last time you heard, "Great covers sell books"? And yet, the book cover is at the last of this list. It is at the bottom of the totem pole so to speak.



Photo by: Lel4nd, courtesy of Flickr

And while I'm the first to admit that a good cover doesn't hurt, I started to think of the places I frequent and the time I give to them. If I am more concerned about my book cover than I am about talking my book up (doing the right marketing) so that someone will share it with a trusted friend, I'm in trouble.

When was the last time you offered to speak at a book club? Where do you place reviews on your to-do list? How much time to you spend on your book blurb as compared to putting out a sample read on your blog as well as the blogs of others who do it?

I also looked at the marketing done online, in person, and by those who market free for you.

The first two items on this list are done for you. I think that's significant. You must do more than sufficient marketing so that "everyone" at least appears to be talking about your book, including that trusted friend.

You must get out there personally through a book club. And, I would add, anywhere where you can be seen. That means the library, bookstore signings, writer's events, etc.

You must get your book reviewed and by enough people that your reviews will carry clout. And these are online interviews. "Best" lists are provided online, but in order to be put on a "Best" list an author must have a reason to be there. Sales numbers. Contest winnings. Sample reads are also online, as are Amazon reviews and Goodreads Choice Awards.

If your book is liked by a reader, they may just read another of your books, but consider what is above #9 on the list.

Book blurbs are on the back covers of books, and then we have the front covers of books, although both of these can also be placed on a website.

When I was at the writer's meeting, I asked the question, "When was the last time you purchased a book because of the cover?" There wasn't a response. Only a hand. And then, "I'm more concerned with other things," she said. 

We discussed the other things. Many of them were on this list.

You might want to consider them.

Cover Letters and Manuscripts

Saturday I spoke about query letters, those necessary evils that one must know how to do and to do well. I spoke about editors not being able to publish everything they love, that sometimes--yes--even editors go through a divorce, and that even if an editor likes your work, that doesn't mean that they will publish it.

Today I want to talk for a minute about cover letters and the difference between a query and a cover letter. I also want to uncover some things you may not know about cover letters.

• Because a query letter is sent alone, without the manuscript, it's a good idea to include the most important details within the letter. With a cover letter, however, you send it as the front-is piece before your manuscript, and so the letter will be less about the details and more of a conversational letter to the editor. 

Photo By: rmkoske, courtesy of Flickr

• In other words, a query letter talks about the book in glowing terms, it shows the editor through summary, plot and other important writing ingredients that you use, that the editor should consider your work. With a cover letter, your work, (or at least the first three chapters of it) are already in the editor's hands. You don't need to try and "sell" your work like you'd do in a query, rather, you thank the editor for taking the time to review your work and you detail in the cover letter what you've sent to him/her.
• At this point, the editor has either asked for the manuscript because of your terrific query, or they are asking, through Writer's Market, that you eliminate the query; what they want to see is the first three chapters of your manuscript, a synopsis of the story and maybe even a chapter by chapter synopsis of the story. They may ask you to specify other things in your cover letter such as your marketing suggestions for the book, or why you see yourself as the best person to write this book, but these details will be shared within Writer's Market.
• Gathering these things and getting them ready for submission will take you some time but you will make the time worth it if you spend some focus time on your cover letter. Don't just send your manuscript without remembering this important front-is piece.
• Again, make sure you address the editor by name and construct your letter just as you would do a query. Thank the editor for his/her willingness to read over your work. Tell the editor the name of your book, (or remind them if they've said yes to your query) the book's genre, how many pages the book has, and let the editor know what you've included: "I have included the first three chapters of the manuscript and a one-page synopsis of the story as well as an SASE for the return of my manuscript." 

Basically the cover letter just informs the editor of what you've included in the package. It tells him/her that she can expect to read the following documents.

The cover letter is short, not more than a page, and many of mine are about half that length. It's your manuscript that's really going to "sell" the editor this time. Just make sure the cover letter is polished, conversational (but still professional), and worthy enough to have that editor turn the page to see chapter 1.

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.