My aplogies. It's been a long time. Blame time--not enough of it, and working on short pieces and the fourth draft of my next novel is a more compelling way to use it. But also, to put it quite bluntly, there's been nothing worth reporting going on in my life re: marketing.
Not exactly true: There's been so nothing going on in several of my published friends' lives that we've banded together: The Never Too Late Authors, a group of women who have all published our first books after the age of fifty. Some of us have published with POD's, some with independent publishers. Our books are extremely diverse, ranging from poetry to historical fiction, to romance, to romance/suspense, to my tongue-in-cheek contemporary fantasy.
It doesn't seem to make a difference. In our little corner of the world, there are few places/opportunities for getting our books "out there."
So I went to the Marymount Manhattan Conference to get ideas and positive energy, and came away with the absolute understanding that if I want to write, it's a great hobby--the odds are overwhelming that it will never be anything more. I'm OK with that. In fact, that's all I want. All right, I'd like to have people read what I write, but even if no one did, I couldn't stop writing. I'm addicted. Besides, there are my peer-writers' groups....
Back to Marymount. Let me sum up some of the things I learned:
I started with The Publicity Panel--I was enjoying gridlock while the first panel, and the keynote speaker were in session:
I was told to believe in my book; to "get out there," and self-promote. It was stressed that no one else will. I was told to have book parties--that parties get publicity, whereas books don't.
It was thrilling to hear, "There is a shrinking market of local media that will take authors as guests." Readings in book stores are paid for by publishers. The print media is shrinking--few publications review books these days.
I was told that no publicist can guarantee anything, but that every author must have a publicist, minimally for six months, at a cost of $2000 a month or more. That kind of leaves me out. I'm still trying to recoupe my original investment.
Then there's blogging. It seems it's supposed to be a full time job. When, then, do I do my fiction writing??? Of course, no blog is worth anything if other blogs don't talk about it. Is there anyone out there who wants to form a blogging circle? I'll write about you if you'll write about me? At least we'll be reading each other's blogs...
The publicity panel put me in a really good mood for lunch, where I met some friendly people. We commiserated and swapped desserts.
Next came the Agents' Panel, chosen because I may want to try that route for my next novel.
It won't happen. If I want to have any success in this arena, I have to become "a public commodity." I have to go on facebook, myspace, be published in places like the New Yorker, even if it's just a letter to the editor.
"Fiction is very difficult to sell in today's marketplace." Did I need to be told that? Authors need platforms. One agent who spoke deals primarily with "famous people." Perhaps I'll rob a bank. At the very least, it would get me some name recognition.
But even that won't help because you "can't be midlist today." To be considered by an agent, a book must have "blockbuster potential." When the book is presented to an agent, it must be fully edited and in its best possible state. Many books that would have been grabbed five years ago won't be considered today.
With the consolidation of publishing agencies, there are a maximum of twenty places for agents to go with a book. Once an editor at a large house has turned down a book, other editors and imprints can't be approached.
"Business is not good. People don't read, especially young people." There is no market for paperbacks. So much free literature is available on the internet that it is "very hard to sell books."
And if that wasn't discouraging enough, I wrote the word "young," as in the age of desired authors, in the margin, after I'd heard it several times. I checked "young" six more times. Is 65 the new twenty? If not, I'm not the author agents seek, no matter how brilliant my work.
So--onward to the Fiction Panel.
The question was raised as to how the authors got their starts. One author did it the old fashioned way--she wrote "hundreds of letters" to agents before getting a bite.
The second author to speak initially wrote and published her book in Chinese, and it was a best seller in China. Authors three and four were Meg Wolitzer (daughter of novelist Helma Wolitzer,) and Carol Higgens Clark (daughter of Mary Higgins Clark.) Which wasn't very helpful or hopeful for authors whose mothers' most creative writing was their children's school absence notes, and those of us who haven't had a best seller in some other language. Writing hundreds of letters to agents might be good advice, but I suspect that the youth of the author also helped.
Writing tips were also offered which were useful and appreciated,(Meg Wolitzer is always worth listening to.) After all the other things I learned at the conference, I wonder how much good writing enters into the picture, if it is in the kind of cross-genre book loved by some, but never intended to be a mainstream blockbuster.
Enough said. Time to hit my "documents" icon and retreat into the world of fiction. Maybe I'll write a story about a bestselling author. Whoops--did that already--there's one in Perchance to Feast. Now, writing about Bronte Dickens was fun! Hope you've met her. If not, contact me at belbook1@gmail.com or go to iUniverse.com, Amazon.com, or BN.com and order yourself a copy of Perchance to Feast, which will take you out of the depression this entry has walloped you into.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
A Review Worth Reading
Finally! Validation! Someone other than my friends has read Perchance to Feast! Someone has not only read it, but taken the time to review it. So, a huge thank you to Devon Kappa, whoever, wherever you are. Of course, it helps that the review was well written, insightful, interesting, and POSITIVE! I am so touched to know that someone out there cares enough to seek out and review POD books. I urge everyone reading this (is anyone besides Devon?) to check out nonemaysay.blogspot.com. I predict that you'll be glad you did. It's a treasure-trove of a site.
On the negative side, things seem to be grinding to a standstill. As I've said, libraries aren't being supportive, although local bookstores are. But let's face it, how many people go to independent bookstores these days? One of the stores carrying my book is famous locally for having just about any old, or out of print book anyone could want. Viewing the merchandise, new books seem to make up a fraction of this wonderful store's business. The other store is located in an antiques mall, and seems to sell a little of everything. It's a newcomer, and I wish the owners luck. Anyone willing to include new books in their stock is praiseworthy, and I'm grateful to both stores.
Not much more to say now. Gotta get going and work on draft 3 of my next novel!
On the negative side, things seem to be grinding to a standstill. As I've said, libraries aren't being supportive, although local bookstores are. But let's face it, how many people go to independent bookstores these days? One of the stores carrying my book is famous locally for having just about any old, or out of print book anyone could want. Viewing the merchandise, new books seem to make up a fraction of this wonderful store's business. The other store is located in an antiques mall, and seems to sell a little of everything. It's a newcomer, and I wish the owners luck. Anyone willing to include new books in their stock is praiseworthy, and I'm grateful to both stores.
Not much more to say now. Gotta get going and work on draft 3 of my next novel!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Marketing Woes
Flying duck feathers!! Nothing seems to be working when it comes to letting people know my book is out there. All these great ideas I had!
I tried a service organization I've been active in for years. "Sorry"--would violate their constitution for me to sell books at meetings, even when my intent is to give them at least fifty percent of my profit. Huh??? Can't leave a few copies at their thrift shop either, again, with profit-sharing. What do they have to lose? I'm totally befuddled. On the plus side, they did say I could be the speaker at a meeting, which I jumped on. But they haven't scheduled it yet. Have to have more meetings. We'll see...
Then there are libraries. I donated copies to three, then asked if I could do a reading. Whoops! Went about it backwards. Could have saved two books. One library said they don't do readings--and not only that--before they put my book out, they had to be sure it's "appropriate for their collection." Other than advocating treason, teaching terrorism, or blatent obscenity, what criteria are there for censoring what is offered in a public library?
The librarian at the second library was more honest. She's love to do a reading--she really would. She's done so many in the past. But they were--how could she say it? "Embarrassing," she blurted. "No one came." So. "No." She was tired of being embarrassed. Tired of being the only one in the audience besides a few of the writer's friends who had already read the book.
The next libarian I approached was delighted to have my book, and receptive to the idea of a reading--but the librarian thought it would draw more people if several authors were to speak. No problem. Four of the other women in my peer writers' group are published authors--and most of the remaining five are working on novels or collections with an eye toward publication. "Terrific," the librarian indicated, "let's schedule for the summer, when more people tend to come out." OK. So I have a gig. Again, with no date. "Call back in May." You can be sure I will!
So I have two possible, maybe, perchance, dates. Will let you know if/when...
Also on the plus side, the local American Cancer Society allowed me to place fliers in their office, in exchange for profit-sharing. Well--more than profit sharing. When it comes to the ACS, all I want to do is recoup my investment. They can have the profit. They deserve it. As a breast cancer survivor, I owe them. Big time.
Also on the plus side--my fish store owner, who barely has room for his own merchandise, took a bunch of magnets advertising Perchance to Feast. (Did I mention that I invested in refrigerator magnets--and that the smallest quantity I could get was 1,000?!) He even said he'd make space for the book. I left him with a pile of magnets, but after some thought--Would anyone like to buy a pound of salmon and a nice yellow book? I think I'll leave 2 when I shop next week, and see what happens...
Meanwhile, there's this blog. Does anyone read it? Please--if you did, let me know at belbook1@gmail.com. It would be nice to know whether there's life at the other end of cyberspace, or if I'm wasting time talking to myself.
Reminder--If you want a copy of Perchance to Feast, it's available at iUniverse.com, BN.com, Amazon.com, or an autographed copy from me at belbook1@gmail.com, for $15, all inclusive.
I tried a service organization I've been active in for years. "Sorry"--would violate their constitution for me to sell books at meetings, even when my intent is to give them at least fifty percent of my profit. Huh??? Can't leave a few copies at their thrift shop either, again, with profit-sharing. What do they have to lose? I'm totally befuddled. On the plus side, they did say I could be the speaker at a meeting, which I jumped on. But they haven't scheduled it yet. Have to have more meetings. We'll see...
Then there are libraries. I donated copies to three, then asked if I could do a reading. Whoops! Went about it backwards. Could have saved two books. One library said they don't do readings--and not only that--before they put my book out, they had to be sure it's "appropriate for their collection." Other than advocating treason, teaching terrorism, or blatent obscenity, what criteria are there for censoring what is offered in a public library?
The librarian at the second library was more honest. She's love to do a reading--she really would. She's done so many in the past. But they were--how could she say it? "Embarrassing," she blurted. "No one came." So. "No." She was tired of being embarrassed. Tired of being the only one in the audience besides a few of the writer's friends who had already read the book.
The next libarian I approached was delighted to have my book, and receptive to the idea of a reading--but the librarian thought it would draw more people if several authors were to speak. No problem. Four of the other women in my peer writers' group are published authors--and most of the remaining five are working on novels or collections with an eye toward publication. "Terrific," the librarian indicated, "let's schedule for the summer, when more people tend to come out." OK. So I have a gig. Again, with no date. "Call back in May." You can be sure I will!
So I have two possible, maybe, perchance, dates. Will let you know if/when...
Also on the plus side, the local American Cancer Society allowed me to place fliers in their office, in exchange for profit-sharing. Well--more than profit sharing. When it comes to the ACS, all I want to do is recoup my investment. They can have the profit. They deserve it. As a breast cancer survivor, I owe them. Big time.
Also on the plus side--my fish store owner, who barely has room for his own merchandise, took a bunch of magnets advertising Perchance to Feast. (Did I mention that I invested in refrigerator magnets--and that the smallest quantity I could get was 1,000?!) He even said he'd make space for the book. I left him with a pile of magnets, but after some thought--Would anyone like to buy a pound of salmon and a nice yellow book? I think I'll leave 2 when I shop next week, and see what happens...
Meanwhile, there's this blog. Does anyone read it? Please--if you did, let me know at belbook1@gmail.com. It would be nice to know whether there's life at the other end of cyberspace, or if I'm wasting time talking to myself.
Reminder--If you want a copy of Perchance to Feast, it's available at iUniverse.com, BN.com, Amazon.com, or an autographed copy from me at belbook1@gmail.com, for $15, all inclusive.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Marketing--Or Not
OK, so a little over two weeks have gone by, and the piles of books are significantly diminished, thanks to my friends and relatives. Of course--(of course? What kind of business woman am I?)--I couldn't bring myself to charge my closest friends and relatives--the people who supported me all through the writing process, could I? Then again, I couldn't afford to purchase books for them all, which is what giving them away would amount to. Compromise: I sold them at cost.
Two weeks later, I realize that was a mistake. The book retails for $15.95. Forget the 95--who wants to deal with change? Besides, I think anything over $15 for a 225 page book is unreasonable. So I'm charging $15, and anyone reading this who wishes to get a signed copy can e-mail me at belbook@g.mail.com to order a copy--for $15 plus $2 for shipping. (Actual shipping is $2 plus change depending on where.) I'll throw in the tax--and the handling.
Right there is one of the problems with my decision to charge friends and family a mere $11, which includes my cost of the book, the charge for shipping the book to me, and NYS tax.
Fine. I may recoup the purchase price of the books. But what about the cost of publishing the book in the first place? What about advertising costs?--I ordered terrific refrigerator magnets (if you order a book from me, I'll throw in a magnet,) I ran off great fliers to place wherever anyone will let me place them. It all costs. So does the postage. It seems that half the people I know live
all over the country--anywhere but where I can simply hand them a book.
Then there are the free copies--there are people I owe--for so many reasons. People who have done things for me and--how can I charge them anything? A book is small payment for what these people have contributed to my life. So....free.
Now, if you're reading this, and you've received an $11 or free book, not to worry. No need to feel guilty. In point of fact, I wrote Perchance to Feast for fun, and published it for the pleasure of sharing a story my pre-publication readers found enjoyable. There is, however, one thing you can do for me. If you actually read the book you bought, and if you enjoy it, please spread the word. The only way this book is going to sell is by word of mouth--Or by reviews posted on Amazon.com and BN.com. If you have something good to say, SAY IT! In every way you can, to as many people as you can. On the other hand, if you don't like the book--and many people won't--a lot of people purchased the book who I know would never pick up a work of contemporary fantasy if it weren't written by a friend. This is quirky stuff, and not everyone's cup of tea. Or feast--so if it's not yours, kindly keep your mouth closed! (Be honest with me--just don't broadcast it.)
Making money was never an object. Losing money was always a possibility--hell no--a probability. Realistically, what I've spent on this book is within the range of what I could afford to spend on a hobby--certainly less than many of my more athletically inclined friends spend on golf or skiing.
If you're reading this with an eye toward self-publication of your own work, here's what I've learned so far:
1. Never spend more on self-publishing (or anything, for that matter,) than you can afford to lose.
2. Select one price, and charge everyone the same thing.
3. Don't procrastinate--get going on marketing from day 1. (A marketing plan sitting on your desk doesn't count.)
4. Unless you're a born salesperson, or are writing a nonfiction book and have a built in platform, view self-publishing as a hobby.
5. Find the fun! Feast!
Two weeks later, I realize that was a mistake. The book retails for $15.95. Forget the 95--who wants to deal with change? Besides, I think anything over $15 for a 225 page book is unreasonable. So I'm charging $15, and anyone reading this who wishes to get a signed copy can e-mail me at belbook@g.mail.com to order a copy--for $15 plus $2 for shipping. (Actual shipping is $2 plus change depending on where.) I'll throw in the tax--and the handling.
Right there is one of the problems with my decision to charge friends and family a mere $11, which includes my cost of the book, the charge for shipping the book to me, and NYS tax.
Fine. I may recoup the purchase price of the books. But what about the cost of publishing the book in the first place? What about advertising costs?--I ordered terrific refrigerator magnets (if you order a book from me, I'll throw in a magnet,) I ran off great fliers to place wherever anyone will let me place them. It all costs. So does the postage. It seems that half the people I know live
all over the country--anywhere but where I can simply hand them a book.
Then there are the free copies--there are people I owe--for so many reasons. People who have done things for me and--how can I charge them anything? A book is small payment for what these people have contributed to my life. So....free.
Now, if you're reading this, and you've received an $11 or free book, not to worry. No need to feel guilty. In point of fact, I wrote Perchance to Feast for fun, and published it for the pleasure of sharing a story my pre-publication readers found enjoyable. There is, however, one thing you can do for me. If you actually read the book you bought, and if you enjoy it, please spread the word. The only way this book is going to sell is by word of mouth--Or by reviews posted on Amazon.com and BN.com. If you have something good to say, SAY IT! In every way you can, to as many people as you can. On the other hand, if you don't like the book--and many people won't--a lot of people purchased the book who I know would never pick up a work of contemporary fantasy if it weren't written by a friend. This is quirky stuff, and not everyone's cup of tea. Or feast--so if it's not yours, kindly keep your mouth closed! (Be honest with me--just don't broadcast it.)
Making money was never an object. Losing money was always a possibility--hell no--a probability. Realistically, what I've spent on this book is within the range of what I could afford to spend on a hobby--certainly less than many of my more athletically inclined friends spend on golf or skiing.
If you're reading this with an eye toward self-publication of your own work, here's what I've learned so far:
1. Never spend more on self-publishing (or anything, for that matter,) than you can afford to lose.
2. Select one price, and charge everyone the same thing.
3. Don't procrastinate--get going on marketing from day 1. (A marketing plan sitting on your desk doesn't count.)
4. Unless you're a born salesperson, or are writing a nonfiction book and have a built in platform, view self-publishing as a hobby.
5. Find the fun! Feast!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
It's Here!
Hallelujah! The doorbell rang on Friday and there they were: Three super-heavy cartons full of books! My husband dragged them in, & I unpacked them and brought them upstairs, where they're now in piles, lining the walls of my office. These are the ones I plan to sell myself--or donate to libraries, schools, etc.
I was told not to plan events for six to twelve weeks, when the books would be available at BN.com and Amazon.com, as well as iUniverse.com., so I did no planning. My middle name is procrastination. When someone tells me not to rush, it's a gift to be cherished. Imagine my surprise Fri. night when I received a phone call from a friend telling me that Perchance is already listed on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles! So much for gifts. Onward to advertising, setting up readings, finding stores that will carry a copy or two...
Or as Sadie would say, "Oy!"
I was told not to plan events for six to twelve weeks, when the books would be available at BN.com and Amazon.com, as well as iUniverse.com., so I did no planning. My middle name is procrastination. When someone tells me not to rush, it's a gift to be cherished. Imagine my surprise Fri. night when I received a phone call from a friend telling me that Perchance is already listed on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles! So much for gifts. Onward to advertising, setting up readings, finding stores that will carry a copy or two...
Or as Sadie would say, "Oy!"
Sunday, January 20, 2008
My Journey Through The Strange Land of Publication
Perchance to Feast will be available within days from me, at belbook1@gmail.com, or from http://www.iuniverse.com/, for $15.95. To learn more about Perchance to Feast, please scroll down to the Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 entries of this blog.
And now--the journey:
August, 2007: Sitting with Writer's Market, Jeff Herman's Guide to Agents, and getting disgusted. So few small publishers accept fiction; so very few agents will even look at fantasy. Those who will, are clearly looking for generic fantasy--witches and dragons, and the sales potential of Harry Potter. Almost no one is looking for anything Kafkaesque, metaphorical, funny, spoofy, quirky or weird. Writing is my retirement project--what I've always wanted to do--FOR FUN. Perchance to Feast, especially, was written to amuse--both myself, and my readers. Why bother with agents and traditional publishers? I started to research supported self publishing, Print on Demand companies. iUniverse was the most responsive, and had features I liked.
9/12--First conversation with Kim, a salesperson at iU. Chose the best package for my needs. Spent two days mulling it over. Anxiety--do I really want to do this? Why not just duplicate some copies and give them to my friends and family? But on the other hand...the book is good. People who have read it like it, and deem it worthy of publication. Why not give it a chance? Bottom line: It's not expensive. I probably waste more money on things I don't need each year. I'm not a gambler at heart, but if not now...
9/14 Called Kim--gave credit card number. Commitment! Should I be committed? What have I done? Welcome letter from the president of iU. A contract. An order confirmation. All done by e-mail. Yipes!
9/17 Received e from Sarah in Submission Assistance with all kinds of requirements for formatting my submission. I thought they did the formatting! It seems that I have to format my submission, with standard size pages and Times New Roman font--they re-format to fit this into a book. Oh. OK. I can do this.
Also a list of things to prepare: my bio, back of book copy, marketing text. Harder than writing the book, especially the author bio. Fantasy is easy. Reality is hard.
Sent an e to Sarah saying I had paid extra to submit my ms. on paper rather than online. Received response. They want an online submission. Oy vey! as my character Sadie would say.
9/20 e to Sarah requesting information re: submission. No response.
9/21. Phone call to Sarah in the morning. Another in the afternoon. Left voicemail messages.
9.22. Sent another e to Sarah.
9/23. And another.
9/24 And another. Sleepless nights. I paid for this service, and can't even manage the first step. How is this going to get done? I think I chose the wrong company. They still don't have my manuscript. I think I'd better cancel fast and find another company.
9/25. Called Kim, my salesperson, to ask for a refund. Received immediate call back from Mary, Sarah's supervisor. Sarah has been AWOL. Huge apologies. Mary walked me through the submission process, and assigned me to Brittany for any further help needed.
9/26. Received e from Brittany. The submission went through. Huge sigh of relief. Excitement. Hey, I'm not such a dummy! This old dog can learn new tricks.
9/27. e informing me I'd been assigned a PSA (Publishing Services Associate) woul would be "one of the 4 or 5 people who may work with you throughout the publishing process." Not as things turned out. The way it worked in reality was that Rachel was the angel who held my hand and got me through the entire process. Thank you Rachel. PSA's should be at the top of iU's list when they advertise.
9/27 e from Rachel. My book has an ISBN. This is getting very real, very scary, and very exciting at the same time.
Another e from Rachel--a time-line of how long each step in the publication process will take. I should have a book by the end of the year. Too late for Christmas, but there's always next year!
Sent Rachel an e explaining specific things I wanted in the formatting process that didn't show on the online form I had to fill out. Received response the next day. OK. I've got someone alive on the other end. Reassuring to know.
10/ 7 I had opted for an editorial evaluation. My friends thought Perchance was good. What if they were wrong? An evaluation would give me an opportunity either to have the book edited professionally, if it needed that, or to fiz whatever problems there were by myself, with input from the nine other members of my writer's Salon. Maybe even abort the process, if they said it was really bad.
And if it was good--as good as everyone seemed to think it was--it would be awarded an "Editor's Choice" decal, and a better location in the iU bookstore.
On 10/7, I received an e from The Editorial Board telling me how best to use my evaluation, preparing me for dealing with negative criticism without reaching for a rope.
10/15. Big sign, large print, black box around it: "Congratulations..." along with the evaluation itself. I read it. My head swelled. They liked everything. I'd print the accolades here, but for a note at the bottom informing me that this was copywrited material, and that I did not have permission to duplicate it, so you'll have to take my word. The review was everything any writer could hope for. Of course, there were some things they didn't love--like that: the -- that sometimes comes out as two short dashes, and sometimes as one long one. They all should be long--which I knew, but didn't know how to fix. And the way my character Sadie talked to her friend Lillian. It should be softer, kinder. I discussed this with my Salon, and they agreed--to change the way Sadie speaks to Lillian would mean I'd have to completely change her character. She's tart-mouthed, and meant to be, and anyone reading the whole book and not just selected paragraphs would get this. Kind hearted, ascerbic speaking Sadie.
Did I mention what it said after the congratulations part of the editor's choice notification? "You have been tentatively accepted into the Editor's Choice program contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the editorial services recommended in the Editorial RX Referral in your evaluation form." OK, something to consider then. As long as they didn't change Sadie.
10/16. Phone call from Elizabeth in the editorial department. It seems that the lowest level of editing, what was recommended for me, would cost $1400, almost twice as much as the entire publishing process. I don't think so.
10/ 25 I decided to allow them to do a cover polish, for $149. After all, this is what will get people to open the book in the first place. Chalk it up to advertising.
11/21 Days of checking my e-mail. Anxiety. What will the cover look like?
11/25. Cover polish arrives. No front cover. No graphic. Just suggestions for changing the marketing copy on the back. A few sentences altered. I accepted their suggestions. After all, I'd paid for them, right? Wrong. Reading the revised copy now, and my original copy, I like my original better. Their revisions sucked the spirit out of copy that was from a character's point of view.
11/29 I received the formatted book. I had two weeks to comb through it with a magnifying glass to make any final edits. I put my life on hold, and re-read the ms. aloud, to catch any possible glitch.
I opened the cover, ready to scream with joy. No joy. Utter dismay. The cover wasn't fun, funky contemporary fantasy, it was futuristic, scary, coldly clinical, humorless...NO!
12/18 I sent a list of changes I wanted made, but saw no real hope of salvaging the cover they provided. After conferring with my Salon, I requested a cover consisting of the title, subtitle, and my name in a funky font, in blue, with a neon green background. I sent a sample of what I wanted. Exactly.
12/19 e from Rachel. The change would be made.
12/ 21. e from Rachel. Trouble finding the green I wanted. I could find it at a graphics store and tell them how to mix it. Me? I didn't even know where to start to look.
e to Rachel--change to a yellow background. How hard can it be to find yellow. I was getting disgusted, discouraged--thinking of doing any marketing beginning with the warning: Don't judge a book by its cover.
e from Rachel--that will cost $99.
e to Rachel--forget it. I reminded her that I have another book in the wings (OK, so I'm only on the second draft, but...) I appealed to her to advocate for me
as I was only requesting the click of a mouse. No way was I paying $99 for that!
waiting time--Xmas/New Year's vacation. I stopped caring about the cover. Whatever will be...
1/8 A yellow cover! Not my first choice, but not "don't judge a book..." either. It will do.
e to Rachel: "It's a go."
1/9 from Rachel: "I will move your book to final production" along with marketing information and information about ordering copies.
1/15. e--"Your book has finished the final production process..."
Now my contracted for ten copies are somewhere between Nebraska, where iU is located, and New York, where I am. They should arrive sometime this week. I've already downloaded the marketing materials iU sent. It's exciting, and scary. Now I have to get out there and sell, which isn't my thing at all. But hey, this was never done to become rich or famous. It was done for fun. The thought puts everything in perspective.
I hope you'll decide to try Perchance to Feast, and find it fun.
And now--the journey:
August, 2007: Sitting with Writer's Market, Jeff Herman's Guide to Agents, and getting disgusted. So few small publishers accept fiction; so very few agents will even look at fantasy. Those who will, are clearly looking for generic fantasy--witches and dragons, and the sales potential of Harry Potter. Almost no one is looking for anything Kafkaesque, metaphorical, funny, spoofy, quirky or weird. Writing is my retirement project--what I've always wanted to do--FOR FUN. Perchance to Feast, especially, was written to amuse--both myself, and my readers. Why bother with agents and traditional publishers? I started to research supported self publishing, Print on Demand companies. iUniverse was the most responsive, and had features I liked.
9/12--First conversation with Kim, a salesperson at iU. Chose the best package for my needs. Spent two days mulling it over. Anxiety--do I really want to do this? Why not just duplicate some copies and give them to my friends and family? But on the other hand...the book is good. People who have read it like it, and deem it worthy of publication. Why not give it a chance? Bottom line: It's not expensive. I probably waste more money on things I don't need each year. I'm not a gambler at heart, but if not now...
9/14 Called Kim--gave credit card number. Commitment! Should I be committed? What have I done? Welcome letter from the president of iU. A contract. An order confirmation. All done by e-mail. Yipes!
9/17 Received e from Sarah in Submission Assistance with all kinds of requirements for formatting my submission. I thought they did the formatting! It seems that I have to format my submission, with standard size pages and Times New Roman font--they re-format to fit this into a book. Oh. OK. I can do this.
Also a list of things to prepare: my bio, back of book copy, marketing text. Harder than writing the book, especially the author bio. Fantasy is easy. Reality is hard.
Sent an e to Sarah saying I had paid extra to submit my ms. on paper rather than online. Received response. They want an online submission. Oy vey! as my character Sadie would say.
9/20 e to Sarah requesting information re: submission. No response.
9/21. Phone call to Sarah in the morning. Another in the afternoon. Left voicemail messages.
9.22. Sent another e to Sarah.
9/23. And another.
9/24 And another. Sleepless nights. I paid for this service, and can't even manage the first step. How is this going to get done? I think I chose the wrong company. They still don't have my manuscript. I think I'd better cancel fast and find another company.
9/25. Called Kim, my salesperson, to ask for a refund. Received immediate call back from Mary, Sarah's supervisor. Sarah has been AWOL. Huge apologies. Mary walked me through the submission process, and assigned me to Brittany for any further help needed.
9/26. Received e from Brittany. The submission went through. Huge sigh of relief. Excitement. Hey, I'm not such a dummy! This old dog can learn new tricks.
9/27. e informing me I'd been assigned a PSA (Publishing Services Associate) woul would be "one of the 4 or 5 people who may work with you throughout the publishing process." Not as things turned out. The way it worked in reality was that Rachel was the angel who held my hand and got me through the entire process. Thank you Rachel. PSA's should be at the top of iU's list when they advertise.
9/27 e from Rachel. My book has an ISBN. This is getting very real, very scary, and very exciting at the same time.
Another e from Rachel--a time-line of how long each step in the publication process will take. I should have a book by the end of the year. Too late for Christmas, but there's always next year!
Sent Rachel an e explaining specific things I wanted in the formatting process that didn't show on the online form I had to fill out. Received response the next day. OK. I've got someone alive on the other end. Reassuring to know.
10/ 7 I had opted for an editorial evaluation. My friends thought Perchance was good. What if they were wrong? An evaluation would give me an opportunity either to have the book edited professionally, if it needed that, or to fiz whatever problems there were by myself, with input from the nine other members of my writer's Salon. Maybe even abort the process, if they said it was really bad.
And if it was good--as good as everyone seemed to think it was--it would be awarded an "Editor's Choice" decal, and a better location in the iU bookstore.
On 10/7, I received an e from The Editorial Board telling me how best to use my evaluation, preparing me for dealing with negative criticism without reaching for a rope.
10/15. Big sign, large print, black box around it: "Congratulations..." along with the evaluation itself. I read it. My head swelled. They liked everything. I'd print the accolades here, but for a note at the bottom informing me that this was copywrited material, and that I did not have permission to duplicate it, so you'll have to take my word. The review was everything any writer could hope for. Of course, there were some things they didn't love--like that: the -- that sometimes comes out as two short dashes, and sometimes as one long one. They all should be long--which I knew, but didn't know how to fix. And the way my character Sadie talked to her friend Lillian. It should be softer, kinder. I discussed this with my Salon, and they agreed--to change the way Sadie speaks to Lillian would mean I'd have to completely change her character. She's tart-mouthed, and meant to be, and anyone reading the whole book and not just selected paragraphs would get this. Kind hearted, ascerbic speaking Sadie.
Did I mention what it said after the congratulations part of the editor's choice notification? "You have been tentatively accepted into the Editor's Choice program contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the editorial services recommended in the Editorial RX Referral in your evaluation form." OK, something to consider then. As long as they didn't change Sadie.
10/16. Phone call from Elizabeth in the editorial department. It seems that the lowest level of editing, what was recommended for me, would cost $1400, almost twice as much as the entire publishing process. I don't think so.
10/ 25 I decided to allow them to do a cover polish, for $149. After all, this is what will get people to open the book in the first place. Chalk it up to advertising.
11/21 Days of checking my e-mail. Anxiety. What will the cover look like?
11/25. Cover polish arrives. No front cover. No graphic. Just suggestions for changing the marketing copy on the back. A few sentences altered. I accepted their suggestions. After all, I'd paid for them, right? Wrong. Reading the revised copy now, and my original copy, I like my original better. Their revisions sucked the spirit out of copy that was from a character's point of view.
11/29 I received the formatted book. I had two weeks to comb through it with a magnifying glass to make any final edits. I put my life on hold, and re-read the ms. aloud, to catch any possible glitch.
I opened the cover, ready to scream with joy. No joy. Utter dismay. The cover wasn't fun, funky contemporary fantasy, it was futuristic, scary, coldly clinical, humorless...NO!
12/18 I sent a list of changes I wanted made, but saw no real hope of salvaging the cover they provided. After conferring with my Salon, I requested a cover consisting of the title, subtitle, and my name in a funky font, in blue, with a neon green background. I sent a sample of what I wanted. Exactly.
12/19 e from Rachel. The change would be made.
12/ 21. e from Rachel. Trouble finding the green I wanted. I could find it at a graphics store and tell them how to mix it. Me? I didn't even know where to start to look.
e to Rachel--change to a yellow background. How hard can it be to find yellow. I was getting disgusted, discouraged--thinking of doing any marketing beginning with the warning: Don't judge a book by its cover.
e from Rachel--that will cost $99.
e to Rachel--forget it. I reminded her that I have another book in the wings (OK, so I'm only on the second draft, but...) I appealed to her to advocate for me
as I was only requesting the click of a mouse. No way was I paying $99 for that!
waiting time--Xmas/New Year's vacation. I stopped caring about the cover. Whatever will be...
1/8 A yellow cover! Not my first choice, but not "don't judge a book..." either. It will do.
e to Rachel: "It's a go."
1/9 from Rachel: "I will move your book to final production" along with marketing information and information about ordering copies.
1/15. e--"Your book has finished the final production process..."
Now my contracted for ten copies are somewhere between Nebraska, where iU is located, and New York, where I am. They should arrive sometime this week. I've already downloaded the marketing materials iU sent. It's exciting, and scary. Now I have to get out there and sell, which isn't my thing at all. But hey, this was never done to become rich or famous. It was done for fun. The thought puts everything in perspective.
I hope you'll decide to try Perchance to Feast, and find it fun.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Five Reasons for Choosing Print On Demand Publishing
To learn more about PERCHANCE TO FEAST, A Novel of Impossible Possibilities, scroll down to the November entries.
Contest winners: Sorry, there were none. But not to despair. Hang in there and there will be more contests.
And on to today's topic:
Why I chose to publish with a POD (print on demand) company rather than a traditional publisher:
1. Ecology: I'm into trees. I love trees. Nothing brings me to a place of peace and contentment like a walk in the woods. The usual way to publish a book is to print a set number and hope they sell. If they don't, ah, well...to the garbage heap. POD means that not a sheet of paper is wasted, not a tree is cut down needlessly. Books are printed as they are needed. The icing on the cake is that Perchance to Feast will also be available as an e-book. For anyone who has the hardware, the book can simply be downloaded. This is likely to be the future of publishing. For those who have grown up with paper and ink, and love the feel, POD is the next best alternative where the environment is concerned.
2. Control: I'll just say it. I'm a control freak. Not something I'm proud of, but not about to change. The thought of a publisher telling me what changes have to be made, what cover and title I have to use, what merchandizing I must do, etc. is abhorent. I love suggestions, and usually take them, but this is my book--an extension of me. Whatever mistakes I make, whatever less than perfect phrases appear, they're mine. Besides, I don't write my books. My characters march into my head and dictate. How can I let anyone change their words?
3. Longevity. Well, yes. We all want to live forever. But books don't. Books today are given but a few months to "make it," and then are "remaindered." Their front covers are torn off, they are returned to the publisher, and gone for good from the retail market--and everywhere else, as far as I know. With POD, a book will be available as long as the author--or her heirs--pay a small (and I mean very small--just a few dollars a year) storage fee for the software they use to print the book.
4. Speed of publication: I have no patience. When I decide to do something, I want it done. Yesterday. The normal publication process involves finding an agent, then finding a publisher, then getting on the publisher's calendar--the publisher may want to publish the book this year, but may not be able to fit it in until next season, or year, or...Bottom line, traditional publishing can take years. It's not unheard of for a book to be published two or more years after it's purchased. Who has time to wait for that? Not me. I first contacted iUniverse in September, slowed down the process with an editorial evaluation (I wanted to be sure it was good enough--it was,) am experiencing a delay now because we're having trouble agreeing on a cover, and still, I expect the book to be available sometime in January. Five months at the most from start to finish.
5. Ease: I'm not a researcher. I was driving myself crazy reading write-ups, ads, web-pages, etc to familiarize myself with agents and small publishing companies in my search for "the perfect match." Every moment I spent researching was a moment my characters were shouting at me, demanding that I get on with their stories (either my next novel, or a short piece.) How very enticing it was to type a few words to a web address, speak to living human beings on the phone, provide a credit card number and whammo! be on the way to publication. POD isn't expensive--and my time is worth paying for.
The entire process has been relatively easy--even for a technophobe like me. iUniverse provided the support I needed whenever technology had me in a tizzy, and the whole process has gone quite smoothly. I think I made the right choice. Time will tell.
Contest winners: Sorry, there were none. But not to despair. Hang in there and there will be more contests.
And on to today's topic:
Why I chose to publish with a POD (print on demand) company rather than a traditional publisher:
1. Ecology: I'm into trees. I love trees. Nothing brings me to a place of peace and contentment like a walk in the woods. The usual way to publish a book is to print a set number and hope they sell. If they don't, ah, well...to the garbage heap. POD means that not a sheet of paper is wasted, not a tree is cut down needlessly. Books are printed as they are needed. The icing on the cake is that Perchance to Feast will also be available as an e-book. For anyone who has the hardware, the book can simply be downloaded. This is likely to be the future of publishing. For those who have grown up with paper and ink, and love the feel, POD is the next best alternative where the environment is concerned.
2. Control: I'll just say it. I'm a control freak. Not something I'm proud of, but not about to change. The thought of a publisher telling me what changes have to be made, what cover and title I have to use, what merchandizing I must do, etc. is abhorent. I love suggestions, and usually take them, but this is my book--an extension of me. Whatever mistakes I make, whatever less than perfect phrases appear, they're mine. Besides, I don't write my books. My characters march into my head and dictate. How can I let anyone change their words?
3. Longevity. Well, yes. We all want to live forever. But books don't. Books today are given but a few months to "make it," and then are "remaindered." Their front covers are torn off, they are returned to the publisher, and gone for good from the retail market--and everywhere else, as far as I know. With POD, a book will be available as long as the author--or her heirs--pay a small (and I mean very small--just a few dollars a year) storage fee for the software they use to print the book.
4. Speed of publication: I have no patience. When I decide to do something, I want it done. Yesterday. The normal publication process involves finding an agent, then finding a publisher, then getting on the publisher's calendar--the publisher may want to publish the book this year, but may not be able to fit it in until next season, or year, or...Bottom line, traditional publishing can take years. It's not unheard of for a book to be published two or more years after it's purchased. Who has time to wait for that? Not me. I first contacted iUniverse in September, slowed down the process with an editorial evaluation (I wanted to be sure it was good enough--it was,) am experiencing a delay now because we're having trouble agreeing on a cover, and still, I expect the book to be available sometime in January. Five months at the most from start to finish.
5. Ease: I'm not a researcher. I was driving myself crazy reading write-ups, ads, web-pages, etc to familiarize myself with agents and small publishing companies in my search for "the perfect match." Every moment I spent researching was a moment my characters were shouting at me, demanding that I get on with their stories (either my next novel, or a short piece.) How very enticing it was to type a few words to a web address, speak to living human beings on the phone, provide a credit card number and whammo! be on the way to publication. POD isn't expensive--and my time is worth paying for.
The entire process has been relatively easy--even for a technophobe like me. iUniverse provided the support I needed whenever technology had me in a tizzy, and the whole process has gone quite smoothly. I think I made the right choice. Time will tell.
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