Monday, April 11, 2022
Not a week goes by when an author-in-waiting doesn’t say to me:
I want to sell a million copies.
My book is like the ones James Patterson writes.
My writing is like Sandra Brown’s.
I want to be published in New York.
Alrighty … goals are always good to have … and reach for. When I hear comments I like the above, I know—yes, I know, that the author-in-waiting hasn’t done his or her publishing homework.
- That if you haven’t already published a book, not only will you most likely be completing the entire book, but also supplying a full book proposal.
- You must prove that your concept is tangible, has a market desiring it, and that you can write.
- Your writing must be compelling and outstanding … it’s the elephant in the room. If you don’t grab the agent or editor in the first paragraph, the odds of further reading are dramatically reduced.
- You can’t be a social media resister … get on it now and start building. Discover which platform “like-minded” books in your genre are using. Get your name, your handle, and start building. As in today. Secret sauce: social media is a marketing town hall—it lets a publisher know you can reach out to readers who are book buyers.
- You need to dump the cute or odd email address … your goal should be to look and sound professional. And be findable.
- You can’t be a computer resister … you will be communicating with many communicating with you via online and needing info. Anything relating to your book should be stored in a BOOK folder with sub-folders broken into categories. Easily assessable.
- You must build a website … it doesn’t have to be massive, but it does have to be present. You … about your writing … your book in the works … your social media sites … how to connect with you. It’s a start. Your online presence.
- Knowing that if your manuscript is picked up … titles may change; your input of editing changes once in a publisher’s hands is significantly reduced; and that timing for publication will not be imminent—think 18 months to two years out.
- Being unique sets you apart. If your book is a memoir and your story is surviving cancer, they are as common as a cold. Yes, there are millions in the same boat. But your writing and storytelling must be unique … even with a twist. Is yours? Ditto with another book on leadership, cooking, or health. Mega thousands already exist. What makes your vision snap, crackle, pop, and stand away from the crowd?
What happens, if there is a bite and then an agent or publisher remarks that the market is too small? I’m always reminded of Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame inductee Carol Fenster. A pioneer of 13 gluten-free cookbooks, her unique twist was creating recipes for those who couldn’t consume gluten. She was rejected by multiple publishers saying the market was too small. Carol turned to self-publishing her first book, Wheat-Free Recipes & Menus … until Penguin Random House saw how well it was doing and bought it. Morale: sometimes smaller is better.
Final Thoughts: If your vision is New York and traditional publishing, I must ask, “Why?” If you think that they will do all the work and you can be “kept,” you better think again. Yes, a publisher will absorb the costs of production. It will make the book available to distributors. You will get anywhere from 7 to 15% of net sales, depending on the binding of the book and contract. Much of any marketing will come from you, the author. Along with your time and the money spent to get there.
When I first started publishing in 1981, I was a publishing snob. Only legitimate authors were published via New York. Only. The rest were in the vanity press, slap it out, who cares about editing crowd. That was then … this is now.
To publish with New York, the odds are not with you—1.6 million books published annually with 10,000 coming from New York. That’s less than one percent. Few buy a book because of a publisher’s name—they buy it because of the author and/or the topic. My question for you: Could your goal to be published by New York be your ego guiding you?
My Truthiness: Whether you publishing with a traditional publishing house or take a different path, you must know WHO you are writing for; WHY you are writing; understand your INTENTIONALITY with what you write; create a COMPELLING story, problem-solver, or insight; and that 10% of your BOOK SUCCESS is in the writing … 90% in the marketing.
Never forget it. You have options in ways to publish. If you build on the five components above, New York may come to you as it did for Carol Fenster.
Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 37 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.
Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE.
Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.
©2022 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
AuthorYOU is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Ongoing education programs delivered face-to-face and online, the weekly Book Publishing Tips ezine, webinars, member-only events, monthly live programs, and the mini one-day Extravaganzas are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Become a VIP AuthorYOU member at AuthorYOU.org.
Latest posts by Judith Briles
(see all) AuthorYOU is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Ongoing education programs delivered face-to-face and online, the weekly Book Publishing Tips ezine, webinars, member-only events, monthly live programs, and the mini one-day Extravaganzas are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Become a VIP AuthorYOU member at AuthorYOU.org.
Latest posts by Judith Briles
(see all)