Setting Up Your Own Imprint

Setting Up Your Own Imprint
Guest Post by Lenore Skomal

When I finally decided to publish my first book under my own imprint, it was like falling off a log—in a good sense. As in easy. After years of publishing books within the publishing industry, I found my biggest obstacle to breaking out on my own was my lack of knowledge compounded with deep fear.

But as it is with most things worth doing, I had to walk through that fear to gain the knowledge and get to the other side. The worst thing that could happen, I reckoned, was I could fail. But I had to define what failure was. Approaching it from all angles, I finally realized that there was no failure in this endeavor. At the end of the process, I would have my book in hard copy and Kindle, available to everyone. If I for some reason didn’t make it through the process, then I would have no regret because at the very least, I tried. And it wouldn’t be the first time I did that. My best lessons come from dreams unrequited.
 

I hired a designer, an editor and a proofreader, and set the wheel in motion. My book, Burnt Toast: Musings on living, loving and saying goodbye, had already been edited several times because it’s an anthology of my humor columns that have run over the past 15 years in newspapers around the country. But just to ensure a clean read, I hired a pro to read it as a collection and to just make sure. My designer has her master’s in graphic design and was completely comfortable with the process of designing the cover and laying out the text. I even asked her to shepherd the book through the physical process of uploading and proofing once I decided to print with CreateSpace, Amazon’s POD.

CreateSpace offers all kinds of add-ons for a price. I chose none of them and opted to do it all myself. One service is offering to apply for a Library of Congress Control number (LCCN), which is used by librarians to catalogue books and should be included in every book. The service costs $49 if you have CreateSpace do it, but with a minor amount of research, I found I could apply for it for free. On the application, it asks for the publishing house’s name, and thus was born Lenore Skomal Press. It took about a week to get the PCN (Preassigned Control Number). Once the book was printed, I had to mail the LOC a copy in order to be considered for inclusion in the catalogue.

So what does that mean? Just because my name is now documented with the Library of Congress doesn’t make me a publishing house, as many know. And if I don’t publish other writer’s works under my imprint, then I am not really considered a publisher at all, especially if I want to compete for the more prestigious awards such as the National Book Award. Kirkus Review and Publisher’s Weekly won’t even look at books published as mine are, but they do offer review services for a price. No guarantees however. My personal belief is that this has to change over time.

Given so few obvious benefits, you might wonder why set up an imprint, especially if it is only on paper and in my head. It gave me one vital thing: possibilities. As I learn more about distribution, which is next on my list, trial and error experiences in this field will give me insight into whether I can actually help other authors.

For more on that, I say, stay tuned.

Lenore Skomal's Bio:
Winner of multiple awards for blogging, literature, biography and humor, Lenore Skomal's catalogue spans many genres. With 30 years of writing experience, 17 books published and a daily blog, the consistent themes in her work are the big issues the human experience and adding depth and voice to the intricacies involved in living a multi-dimensional existence. Skomal has won several Society of Professional Journalist Awards, Whidbey Island Writer's Conference honorable mention for best fiction, Writer's Digest 73rd Annual Fiction Contest, New York Public Library's Best Books for Teens 2003, and the 2012Next Generation Indie Book Award for humor for her anthology “Burnt Toast,” her debut book under her own imprint. From journalism, to literary fiction, to humor and biography, Skomal's writing is consistent, if not in genre, then in message. Her first novel, “Bluff” will be released Oct. 1. Check out her Website or Facebook Page.

Writing Series: The Path to The End

Writing Series: The Path to The End

Guest Post by Patti Larsen

I love writing series. LOVE. I’m able to pen good flash fiction, short stories even. But my passion is for the long tale-telling, the expansive and epic adventure characters lead you on at times. I think it comes from my younger reading days, raised on science fiction and fantasy by my Dungeon Master father.

When I started journalism in college, I learned about the importance of a lead, or knowing and being able to distill an idea down into a single sentence. The repetition of this skill, learned over many news stories, helped me understand how important it was to see where I was going before I began to write.

That year was the first time I outlined a novel. A full trilogy, in fact. I’ve not returned to them, that fantasy tale about horses and nomads and banished princes, but the seed of the idea of outlining was sown.

From there I dove into another series, also fantasy, nine books alternating character points of view. I was on to something, I could tell. But at that time, sadly, I listened to the critics who told me I couldn’t, I wasn’t good enough. I gave up writing and forgot completely what I’d learned about telling stories from front to back.

Script writing came next, years later. I loved turning ideas into films, following the three act structure from exciting start to climactic finish, from page to screen. TV show pilots and independent flicks taught me to tear a story apart before I told it, to break it down into its most important pieces and to always, always know exactly what it was about just in case I had thirty seconds in an elevator to make my pitch.

When I found YA and finally realized I was meant to be telling stories for young adults, I returned not only to the joy of writing books, but to the idea of knowing where the timeline went before I wrote a word. Everything from my past experiences fell together into one simple, totally logical format.

I’m now an outlining fanatic and most often will completely structure a series before I write a word of prose. Not only am I able to tell great individual stories, but linking together all the hints and foreshadows and hidden moments of pure pleasure for my eager readers comes from having a firm grasp on what I’m doing right from word one.

Currently I’m working on the remaining twelve (you read that right) books (four at a time) in an extraordinary twenty volume jaunt about a teen witch who wants to be like normal kids. That’s the other part I love so much about series—I’m family, now. I know the characters as well as my own sisters and parents. The stories come easily, the connections as clear as the ah-ha moments I have every time I sit down to think about Syd and what’s coming next.

So, let me ask you a question: if you’re a reader, does it bug you when a novelist misses something in book three you remembered (and loved) from book one? And if you’re a writer, do you know how your series ends?  

About the Author: Patti Larsen is an award-winning middle grade and young adult author with a passion for the paranormal. Her YA thriller series, The Hunted, is available now. Book one of that series, RUN, is a recent recipient of the 2012 PEI Book Awards for Fiction. Seven books of her very popular Hayle Coven Novels, beginning with Family Magic, are also out now. Her YA steampunk series, Blood and Gold, can be found on Amazon, along with her YA paranormal novel, Best Friends Forever, and The Diamond City Trilogy. Her middle grade novel, The Ghost Boy of MacKenzie House (Acorn Press), is available now. She is a full time writer and a part time teacher of her Get Your Book Done program. Patti lives on the East Coast of Canada with her very patient husband and four massive cats. 

Find out more at PattiLarsen.com, on Twitter, and Facebook.

This is part of a sort of regular feature that I try to post each Friday about various topics related to writing and publishing. If you would like to do a guest post, please contact me.

Most recent: 10 Ways YA Novels Leave You Totally Unprepared to be an Actual Adult by Donna Gambale. Click here to see previous posts. 

10 Ways YA Novels Leave You Totally Unprepared to be an Actual Adult

10 Ways YA Novels Leave You Totally Unprepared to be an Actual Adult  
Guest Post by Donna Gambale

As someone in my mid-20s, I still fancy myself a "young" adult — but reading YA novels hasn't exactly prepared me for the more adult side of life.

Slowly but surely, I'm learning the correct solutions to the everyday problems my friends and I face, but I much prefer the YA answers. Here's why:

Problem 1: 

The creepy guy at work watches your every move.

Actual Answer: Restraining order.
YA Answer: He's a sexy paranormal being who wants to love you forever. Kiss him!

Problem 2: 

You have too many bills and not enough money.

Actual Answer: Sell everything you own on Craigslist. Beware of serial killers.
YA Answer: Ask mom and dad for an advance on your allowance.

Problem 3:  

There's a really difficult test coming up for your master's class.

Actual Answer: Spend two weeks with your head buried in your textbook. (Despite this, you may still fail.)
YA Answer: Study for five minutes — or better yet, not at all! No worries, you'll pass!

Problem 4: 

Mythical creatures approach you, begging you to help them.

Actual Answer: You may require medication.
YA Answer: You're the one person in all the world who can save their magical realm.

Problem 5: 

That guy you're dating is a real jerk.

Actual Answer: Break up with him. Stat.
YA Answer: Despite his troubled past, he'll soon reveal that he's a romantic, considerate guy who's perfect for you.

Problem 6: 

Even though you moved out three years ago, your parents won't stop telling you what you're doing wrong in life. (AKA everything.)

Actual Answer: Move far away, and/or change your cell phone number and email address.
YA Answer: Aren't parents those people who live in your house and never interfere as you gallivant off into life-threatening situations?

Problem 7:  

Your college loans are killing you ... and you can't get a job related to your major.

Actual Answer: Do you want fries with that?
YA Answer: But doesn't everyone get a full scholarship to a super selective, likely-Ivy-League school, followed by a dream career?

Problem 8: 

You know that guy you just met and exchanged five words with? You're in love! Can it be true?

Actual Answer: It's not love; it's beer goggles. Drink some water, sleep it off, and in the morning, realize your perfect 10 is a perfect 2.
YA Answer: You're meant to be!

Problem 9: 

You've already spent thousands of dollars being a bridesmaid for numerous weddings ... and half your friends are still single.

Actual Answer: Time to make some enemies. And eat ramen like you're still in college.
YA Answer: Awesome! It's like senior prom ALL OVER AGAIN.

Problem 10: 

Two great guys like you, but you have to choose between them.

Actual Answer: Pssst — one is married, and the other one is forty and still lives in his parents' basement.
YA Answer: After months of debating and stringing them both along, you'll pick the one who's OBVIOUSLY meant for you, but the other guy will totally be cool with being your BFF. Awesome!

About the author:
Donna Gambale works an office job by day, writes young adult novels by night, and travels when possible. You can find her online at www.FirstNovelsClub.com, where she and her critique group blog about writing, reading, networking, and the rest of life. You can also follow her on Twitter. 

This post was originally posted on First Novels Club by Donna Gambale. It is reprinted here with permission from the author. 

I came across this post quite by accident one day while searching for something else. I thought it would make an excellent follow-up to a recent guest post, The Mass Appeal of YA Fiction - It's Not Just For Teens by Kimberly Kinrade.

The Mass Appeal of YA Fiction - It's Not Just For Teens - Kindle Fire Giveaway

The Mass Appeal of YA Fiction -

It's Not Just For Teens

Guest Post by Kimberly Kinrade 

Chances are you or someone you love is addicted to Young Adult fiction. In all likelihood, you know many non-teens who fall into this category. For those who just don't understand the fascination, or who worry about your loved one's mental health, I'm here to help.

Young Adult fiction didn't start as a genre so much as an age classification for books. Depending on who you ask, (or what you read) YA lit falls somewhere between Middle Grade and Adult literature and is typically known for its teen protagonist going through coming-of-age type journeys.

However, it has sparked a reading revolution among a wide age demographic. Young teens to middle aged adults are obsessed with YA books—and the big question on many people's minds is why? Perhaps you are wondering that about your loved one. Or perhaps you too have a secret obsession with this genre-that's-not-a-genre, but don't totally understand why.

First, let's set the record straight. YA isn't a genre, per se. It's talked about like it is, but it isn't. Paranormal, romance, thriller, horror, mystery, literary fiction, sci fi, fantasy… these are genres—all of which you can find in the YA category. So if it's not a genre, and it's not just appealing to young adults, then what gives?

I know, it's confusing. Some of you may think YA lit is a gateway drug to fluff writing. Many attribute the wide-spread popularity of YA lit to the 'simplistic writing'—the argument being that people don't want to have to use their brains when they read, and YA is brainless (or something along those ridiculous and insulting lines.)

Don’t get me wrong, there's some brainless, simplistic YA out there. Just as there's the same for thriller, horror, mystery, etc. That's true of any genre (yes, okay, we'll call it a genre for sake of clarity and ease of communication, just remember, it's not really a genre.) As someone who reads and writes YA fiction (as well as children's literature and adult fiction) I find this explanation simplistic and offensive.

Sure, we want to be entertained when we read. We crave escapism and adventure. That doesn't mean the writing is bleh or that we're all mindless morons. It just means we might not always be in the mood for War and Peace. (And honestly, who is ever in the mood for that?)

So what's the appeal? Based on what I've seen, read and heard… here are my thoughts.

One, YA is largely dominated by female authors, and female readers. That's not to say that men and boys don't enjoy reading and writing YA, but they are not the primary demographic on either side of the coin. (And please don't ask me to site sources, this is a blog, not a literary journal… a quick Google search will show this to be true.)

Perhaps because of this, YA has more strong, intelligent, kick-butt female protagonist than nearly any other genre, ever. (With epic fantasy probably being last on the list, following thrillers… this is not statistically proven, just my guess based on what I've read. And of course, there are exceptions. Just not many.) As a woman myself, I love reading about strong women and girls who are faced with hard choices and challenges and come away even stronger. I relate to them, just as many of you do. Just as our teen daughters do. It's empowering.

For this alone, the YA genre lends itself to popularity. But I think it's more than that. Within YA, you can find any genre you like, be it mystery, romance, thrillers, horror, sci fi, fantasy, paranormal… but they will all have some basic similarities that account for much of these books' appeal—the coming of age theme.

In any coming of age story, you're dealing with thematic elements that touch on deep emotional memories for most of us. We may not relate to a middle aged male detective chasing a serial killer, or an elf killing Orc's with a giant sword, but probably all of us can relate to a teenager falling in love for the first time, or feeling trapped and helpless in a situation not of their making (or of their making.)

We've all been there, and in these books, we get to go back with the wizened eyes of age and experience and relive what we once lived, but with more grace and control. We get to escape from the drudgery of dishes and grocery shopping and cooking and working and join a girl who has to fight to stay alive and provide for her family. We get to find love with a mythical being beyond reality, or battle side by side with our best friends as we face off against evil teachers and bad wizards. No matter how magical, mythical or outside of reality the plot is, the internal drive and quest and hardships are the same.

It also provides a sense of wish fulfillment. We've been there on one level, but we haven't. Now we get to be the popular girl, or the girl who can read minds, or the one who finds eternal love. We live thousands of lives through the pages in these books, lives that are just starting out, lives that are on the cusp of unfolding into greatness. You can't get that same magic anywhere else. It's the magic of YA, that we get to begin anew each time we pick up a new book to read.

For teens, the journey is different. They are still living it, and so can relate to their paged peers. But they also get to see into the future by surviving the Hunger Games with Katniss or living happily ever after with Edward. They get to imagine their futures a hundred different ways—and they, like us adults, enjoy the wish fulfillment of these stories.

It's a powerful drive, the emotional memories and fantasies that all genre of YA books stir in us. Is it any wonder that it's so addictive? Within one massive genre-that's-not-a-genre, we get to relive the emotional intensity of our own coming-of-age. And in the end, aren't we all still going through these moments, if in a less dramatic way? We all live through new beginnings and endings, heartbreak and rebirths, closed doors and open windows. When we feel hopeless or stuck, a great YA novel brings us back to a place of hope and opportunity where anything and everything is possible, if we just turn the next page in our books—and our lives.

About Kimberly Kinrade

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for children, YA and adults and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal novels Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire and her illustrated children's fantasy chapter books Lexie World, Bella World and Maddie World all on Amazon.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two dogs who think they're humans, her two kittens who think they're gods, and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Find out more at KimberlyKinrade.com, on Twitter, and Facebook. 

A Chance to Win:

Click here for a chance to win signed copies of Kimberly's YA novels, Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire, as well as Zoe Winters' paranormal romance novels and a Kindle Fire!

This post is part of a weekly feature of guest posts about various topics related to writing and publishing. If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me.

Most recent post - The Fine Art of Being Rejected by Merry Farmer.

While you are here, please also check out the previous posts included in this feature.

The Fine Art of Being Rejected

The Fine Art of Being Rejected

Guest Post by Merry Farmer
 

There are only two certainties in life: death and taxes.  But if you’re a writer, there are three: death, taxes, and rejection.  Yep, if you’re a writer, no matter what your genre, no matter what your experience level, you are going to be rejected at some point.

Ugh!  It’s not something we like to think about.  It is, however, something we have to learn to live with.  Rejection starts early in a writer’s journey and it follows you through your entire career and beyond.  It doesn’t have to be something that lands us in bed with a pint of double fudge brownie ice cream though.  Rejection can actually be the most powerful tool a writer has to improve on a variety of levels.

The first rejection that most writers experience is critique.  It would be wonderful if everything we wrote was gorgeous prose destined to become the stuff of legend.  Unfortunately, that just doesn’t happen.  A far more likely scenario is that we pour our heart out into a deliciously mediocre first draft with lots of potential and room for growth.  Then we give it to other people, whether that’s a critique group or beta readers or blurbs posted online for feedback.

The job of a critique group or beta readers is not to tell you that you’re wonderful.  It’s to give your work a fair assessment and to point out the areas that need more work.  The rejection of your words the first time around isn’t a defeat by any means.  It’s the starting point of a fantastic journey.  I’ve heard stories of some critique groups where a writer has gotten so painfully upset, and argumentative, by that first round of feedback that their peers are afraid to give them any further advice.  That’s not going to get you anywhere in the long run though.

A similar thing happens with feedback from editors.  They’re not going to tell you that you’ve written a masterpiece.  They’re going to point out the warts in your story.  But if you have the right editor, this rejection is a major step in the right direction.  I love my editor (Alison Dasho) for her ability to send me massive letters detailing everything I’ve done wrong in my manuscript … and to make me feel excited and energized about plodding through the hard work of revisions.  I listen to her, work with her suggestions, and ninety-nine times out of a hundred I make the changes she suggests.

Now comes the next kind of rejection.  I was once told that the minimum agent submission ratio was twelve rejections for every one acceptance.  Yes, this means that if you’re taking the traditional publishing route you’re going to get twelve flat-out no’s for every one request for a partial or full manuscript, let alone a full yes.  Aspiring authors may be some of the most rejected people on the planet this way.

Sending out all those submissions and getting all those no’s teaches us patience and perseverance.  And believe me, if you’re going to get any more deeply involved in this world, you’re going to need to learn patience and perseverance.  Writing is one of the slowest-moving, subjective pursuits I can think of.  Nothing happens overnight and even less happens without constant, steady striving towards your end goal.  Even if you choose to self-publish you’re going to have to push yourself.  The effort of being a writer doesn’t stop when you click “publish” on any given eBook site. 

Also along those lines, as anyone who has ever submitted to an agent or editor and gotten a lovely form letter of rejection in reply, the submissions process teaches you how to deal with the frustration of getting an answer that isn’t an answer.  It would be so nice if each agent or editor that rejected us could, like our editor or critique group, give us a long explanation of everything in our story that didn’t work for them.  Instead we experience the joy of learning how to cope with an anonymous no.  It toughens your skin, gives you a sense of the scope of what you’re doing, and prepares you for the biggest rejection of all….

Bad reviews.  The worst rejection there is.  You’ve done all the work, jumped through all the hoops, and if you’re a self-publisher you’ve paid all the money to create what you hope is the best book possible.  Then bam!  Someone comes along and pans it in public.  Break out the double fudge brownie ice cream!

Nothing compares to that first mediocre review.  I remember mine vividly.  But I also think that my first bad review was one of the most valuable that I’ve ever gotten.  I had a very kind reader who included in her review all of the things she thought I had done wrong.  Nothing could have been better.  Because two out of three of her points were spot-on.  I do tend to overuse certain words.  But thanks to that review those words are on my radar.  That reviewer taught me something that will make me a better writer with every word I write … or with every word that I delete after writing. 

The fact is that none of us are perfect.  We’re not going to write a Pulitzer every time.  Not even Pulitzer winners write a Pulitzer every time.  In fact, I’m sure if you were to look at reviews for most prize-winning novels you would find several that question the sanity of anyone who would vote for that particular book.  Not only does every writer have room for improvement, we all write in different styles and have different tastes.  Sometimes our books end up in the hands of readers who just don’t get it.

And this is the most valuable lesson of all.  It’s nothing personal.  A bad review is not a judgment about your character as a human being and an assessment of your right to be on this planet.  Of course, as a writer it’s hard to remember that from time to time.  We like to think that we are what we write and that a negative comment about our baby is a black mark against our character.  Fortunately, it’s not. 

Writing is a sadistic occupation.  We put ourselves out there with an intensity that few people really understand.  That’s why it’s important for each of us to listen to the critiques and to integrate that advice.  The point is to become a better writer and to keep writing.  So don’t let the negative words get you down.  For every rotten review there will be someone out there who thinks you’re a genius.  Don’t listen to either of those people.  Listen to your heart and keep writing.

About the author: 

Merry Farmer is an award-winning novelist who lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Butterfly and Torpedo. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized one day that she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. She then went on to earn not one but two degrees in History so that she would always having something to write about. Today she is a giant History nerd and a hopeless romantic waiting for her own love story to start. Her first book, The Loyal Heart, is a swashbuckling Medieval Historical Romance involving a love triangle that will keep you guessing.  Both The Loyal Heart and its sequel, The Faithful Heart, are available wherever eBooks are sold.  The third book in the trilogy, The Courageous Heart, will be available sometime this Fall.  She has also begun a new Western Historical Romance series set in Montana in 1805.  The first of that series, Our Little Secrets, is now available.  The second, Fool for Love, will be released in early 2013.  Merry is also passionate about blogging, knitting, and cricket and is working towards becoming an internationally certified cricket scorer.

Find out more at MerryFarmer.net, on Twitter, and Facebook. 

This post is part of a weekly feature of guest posts about various topics related to writing and publishing. If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me.

Most recent post - Self Publishing or Small Press, Which is Right for You? by Michelle Birbeck.

While you are here, please also check out the previous posts included in this feature. 

Self Publishing or Small Press, Which is Right for You?

Self Publishing or Small Press, 
Which is Right for You?
Guest post by Michelle Birbeck

A lot of authors are taking the DIY route with publishing these days, and some of them are even making good money at it. There’s a lot to be said for going it alone, too. No editors to ask you to change things. No contracts to sign where you only get a certain amount per book. No one telling you that the cover you want isn’t what you’re getting because it’s not something that’s popular or saleable at the moment.

And perhaps one of the biggest lures of self-publishing; no rejection letters.

I like the sound of that! One of the hardest parts of becoming an author for me was the rejection letters. Time after time I sent my work out into the world only to be told it wasn’t good enough, wasn’t what they were looking for. In some cases it was clear that the work hadn’t even been read.

So I can certainly see the allure of self-publishing. But it isn’t all click a couple of buttons and start making money. If you want to do it properly, then you need to do it right. This is where some of the downsides of self-publishing come into play. It might be nice to not have editors telling you things need to be changed, but if those things really do need to be changed? Plot holes that you can’t see because you’re too close to the work? Spelling mistakes you’ve gone over time and time again but still missed?

I can’t tell you how many times I went over my own novel before my editor got hold of it. Countless. Yet when it came back, I’d missed basic spelling mistakes, grammatical errors I didn’t even know existed, as well as plot holes and timeline errors. So as much as it will hurt your bank balance (unless you’re lucky enough to have a good friend who’ll do it for free!), it is worth paying for an editor.

Then on top of that, you’ve got blog tours to organise, marketing and distribution to organise, signings and talks to set up. All to be done whilst you’re working on your next novel, and maybe even at the same time as holding down a job and taking care of a family.

Yet there’s another option that people seem to forget about. The publishing world isn’t just self-publishing and traditional publishing. There are small press publishers, too.

Where self-publishing is strictly DIY, traditional publishing the opposite, small press publishing is somewhere in the middle. You don’t need an agent, so no rejection letters, and though there’s no guarantee your work will be accepted, the small press people tend to be a lot nicer about things.

There are also some advantages of going with a small press publishing house. If you get a full service one they’ll provide editing, marketing, distribution, cover design… all the things you’d have to pay for with self-publishing or have little to no say in for traditional publishing (unless you’re earning them millions like Anne Rice or JK Rowling, in which case I’m pretty sure the publisher asks how high when they say jump).

So which one is right for you?

If you’re serious about becoming an author then it’s always best to weigh all the options. Look at the pros and cons of each. Check out which option will earn you more, which will cater to your needs and provide the right package.

For me it was simple. I don’t have the time or money to invest in self-publishing on any kind of novel length scale, but the finances of a traditional publishing deal weren’t right for me either. So small presses, with royalty based earnings and full service was perfect. For me.

The key questions I boiled it down to are these:

Do you have the time to invest in self-publishing? Time for finding editors, marketing, organising blog tours.

Do you have the money to invest in self-publishing? Paying for distribution, editors, marketing and advertising.

If you answered yes to those questions, then it might just be that DIY is the way to go. If not, then look at the other options, see what’s out there, and above all, do what’s right for you, not what everyone else is doing. 

About the author:
Michelle Birbeck has been writing and reading her whole life. Her earliest memory of books was when she was five and decided to try and teach her fish how to read, by putting her Beatrix Potter books in the fish tank with them. Since then her love of books has grown, and now she is writing her own, and looking forward to seeing them on her shelves, though they won’t be going anywhere near the fish tank. When she’s not writing, she’s out and about on her motorbike, or sat with her head in a book.  

Find out more at MichelleBirbeck.co.uk and on Twitter.

This post is part of a weekly feature of guest posts about various topics related to writing and publishing. If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me.

Most recent post - With All the Publishing Options, What's an Author to Do? by Monique Domovitch.

While you are here, please also check out the previous posts included in this feature.

With All the Publishing Options, What's an Author to Do?

With All the Publishing Options,
What's an Author to Do?
Guest post by Monique Domovitch

I’m one of the lucky ones, one of the authors with an agent and not only one, but two publishers, yet I’ve chosen to also self publish a few of my books. Whenever I tell other authors I get responses ranging from, ‘you’re so lucky,’ to, ‘why would you choose to get published when you can do it yourself?’

There is no question that there are distinct advantages to self publishing, such as; a much larger percentage of the money from the sale of those books, especially in the case of e-books; complete creative control; and last but not least, no dreaded manuscript-delivery deadlines. These three factors alone can be great incentives to chuck the traditional route and self publish.

However, there are also disadvantages to self publishing, the main one being that a large amount of an author’s time will be dedicated to doing other things than writing. For me, that was a big one. Maybe not all authors are like me, but I tend to be totally focussed on whatever my goal of the moment may be. For example, I have found that when I need to work on promotion, I find it difficult to do any writing. And there are just so many things to do when you self publish. Of course you do your editing. Authors always have to edit. But generally you also need another set of eyes, which means that you have to find your own editors, and pay them. Then there is the formatting of the manuscript. There is the picking of the cover, or even more time consuming, making it yourself. Not to mention checking the galleys and then distributing and promoting, and promoting, and promoting and promoting. That can be so time consuming that you feel like your life is made up only of twitter and facebook and blogs and advertising. All of this can entail months of work beyond the original writing of the novel. And then there is the cost$$$$$!

The funny thing is that I already had an agent when I decided to self-publish a few of my novels. The main reason being that these particular books were written in a different genre from what my agent was trying to sell. And at the time I seriously thought I would no longer write in this genre. (Since then those novels have been receiving such great reviews that I’m seriously questioning that decision. But that’s another story.)

All in all, it’s been a great experiment. I now have two manuscripts delivered— one to each of my two publishers—and two self-published books on Amazon. My self-published novels are enjoying great success, getting rave reviews and good sales. I said good sales—not great. I’ve spent so much on advertizing these books that I’m still in the red financially with them.

Meanwhile, I’ve got a nice advance—only in the four figures so no great shakes— from the first publisher. But hey, I’m already in the black with that one. And since delivering it, I’ve had only one short rewrite. I am no longer spending time working on anything else but my next books, or money on any other aspect of it.

As I see it, traditional publishers sell books—a lot of books—way more than I could ever hope to sell on my own, unless I turned out to be the next Amanda Hocking—wouldn’t that be nice?—and a small percent of a large number of sales will equal more than a large percentage of a small number of sales.

And then, there is also the issue of self confidence. Until I actually got a publisher to buy one of my books, somewhere in the back of my mind I always wondered whether I really had the talent, or if I was only deluding myself.

When I got that first contract, I knew, I just knew, that if a publisher was willing to pay good money for my novel, then I couldn’t be crazy. I really did have the talent. And that alone made going the traditional route well worth it.

About the author:
Monique Domovitch was born (as the first of 10 children) in Canada, where she led a number of successful careers, from top model during the 70s, to financial adviser with her own national television show. Now, in what she calls the best part of her life, she launches into yet another career, this time as a fiction writer.

Connect with Monique at moniquedomovitch.com, Twitter, and Facebook.  


This post is part of a weekly feature of guest posts about various topics related to writing and publishing. If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me.

Last week's post - 7 Signs that Indie Publishing is Right for You by Terri Giuliano Long.

While you are here, please also check out the previous posts included in this feature.

7 Signs that Indie Publishing is Right for You

Is Indie Publishing Right for You?

7 Questions to Help You Decide

Guest post by Terri Giuliano Long

You’ve finished your masterpiece. After revising, editing, and polishing your work, you’re ready to publish. You consider querying an agent, but your writer friends, who not long ago turned up their noses at the thought of self-publishing, are encouraging you to “go indie.”

Their reasons are compelling: more money, greater control, faster publication, a direct relationship with your readers. Still, you’re not sure if self-publishing is right for you.

This is an exciting time in publishing! Never before have readers been so accepting of indie writers. Your friends are right: the rewards are immense. But all rewards come at a price. Publishing a book is like a starting a small business. It’s hard, time-consuming work—and it’s not for everyone. Here are seven questions to help you think through your decision.

Are you creative?

As publisher, you're responsible for your book's content, cover and interior design. Successful indie books stand up to those published by major publishing houses. Many indie writers hire professionals to design their interior and cover. Perhaps you will, too. Still, you’ve worked hard to write your book. You’ll want to be sure the cover represents it well.

In order for your book to stand out, to rise above the noise, you’ll also need to come up with unique ways to promote it. While there are many wonderful professionals to help with marketing and promotion, it helps to put your own stamp on your promotions. At the very least, you’ll want to offer your blog hosts interesting interviews and creative guest posts.

Are you detail-oriented?

Editing, particularly proofreading, and formatting are tedious, detail-oriented activities. Editing requires us right-brain thinkers to switch gears. We must read closely, checking for errors. Compared to creative writing, editing and proofreading can feel like drudge work.

Formatting can be equally tedious. Poor formatting results in punctuation and paragraph errors that appear to be sloppy editing mistakes. Yes, you can hire professionals to edit and format; ultimately, you’re responsible. I learned this the hard way, by being burned. I’d read my novel so many times that the mere site of the manuscript made me anxious. Trusting the formatter, I loaded my eBook, only to discover that the file was corrupt.

Are you independent?

Sure, being the boss is liberating, but it’s lonely at the top. Unlike traditionally published writers, most indie writers don’t have a support staff to assist with publishing chores and minutiae—a publicist to organize a marketing campaign or an agent or editor to be sure the process runs smoothly. As President Truman said, “The buck stops here.” It’s up to you to meet deadlines, be sure the work gets done, and deal with any problems that crop up.

As in any business, it’s important to establish a network. With writer friends, you can share ideas and experiences, helping one another make wise decisions and enhance your success.

Can you deal with disappointment?

In every business, things inevitably go wrong. Editing or formatting takes longer than you expected, setting your launch back a week; Amazon introduces a groundbreaking program like KDP Select the day you launch a long-awaited promotion. You receive a lousy review. After a setback, it’s important to pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and move forward.

Are you willing to invest?

If you hope to succeed, you must nurture your business. Since last year, I’ve put in more 12 and 16-hour days than I care to count. It’s not necessary to put in ridiculously long days. You must, however, keep your eye on the ball. This requires you to invest your time wisely.

There is also the financial investment to consider. Designing, formatting and marketing your book yourself substantially minimizes costs. But you may have to lower your sites a tad. We all have only twenty-four hours in a day. Doing everything alone limits your scope. And time is precious. Only you know what you can afford—and how much you’re willing—to invest.

Do you enjoy marketing?

As I learned from the Indie Book Collective, bestsellers are not born; they’re marketed. No amount of marketing can turn a truly bad book into a bestseller. For most books, though, effective marketing makes all the difference. Marketing lets readers know your book exists.

Marketing doesn’t mean shameless self-promotion. Grandstanding turns most people off. Cross-promotion, working with other authors to promote one another, sponsoring contests, hosting games—such activities build your platform and help to spread news of your work.

Are you patient?

For indie publishers, patience may be the most important characteristic of all. Like blockbuster movies, major books hit bestseller lists quickly, often before publication. This gives a false impression of book marketing. To create such a splash, large houses spend a fortune. One ad can cost tens of thousands of dollars—only a tiny part of a big campaign.

Small publishers on a limited budget can’t begin to compete. So we shouldn’t hold ourselves to that standard. The marketing cycle for indie books—particularly debuts—is much longer. It can take several months for a book to pick up steam. Once it does, it often stays rolling.

If you answered no to a few questions, don’t worry. You may discover a well of strength and determination you never realized you had. You won’t know until you put yourself to the test.

About the author:

Terri Giuliano Long has written news and features for numerous publications, including the Boston Globe and the Huffington Post. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. Her debut novel, In Leah’s Wake, began as her master’s thesis. For more information, please visit her website. Or connect on Facebook or Twitter.

This is part of a weekly feature, posted each Friday, which looks at publishing related topics. If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me.

Last week's post: Self-Pubbing vs Small Press: I Must Be Insane by Rachel Firasek. 

Self-Pubbing vs. Small Press: I Must Be Insane!

Self-Pubbing VS Small Press: 
I must be insane!
Guest Post by Rachel Firasek
 

I’m very excited to be here today, and want to give a big Thank You to Tami for making it happen.

I’ve been writing seriously for about three years now, and I’m still waiting for that book to come to me that says, “This is it!”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with the books that have poured out of me, but I don’t think I’ve found that “Book of my heart” that everyone speaks about. The closest one to that label is probably Piper’s Fury.

I was very lucky to have that book picked up by Heather Howland when she was at Crescent Moon Press, my first small press to work with. She taught me all about amateur writing and brought me into a different level of storytelling.  And, after five months of sweet patience from her, we finally had Piper’s story edited to a fine art and ready for publications. As I said, I was very lucky she took a chance and believed that there was a really good story beneath the basic beginner’s voice.

After that story, I went on to publish three more novellas with small presses over the span of 2011. So, that made a total of 4 books published last year and another novella that came out in Feb 2012. Yes, I’ve been one busy little bee.

Small Presses will teach and take a chance on you when one of the Big 6 won’t. But, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t strive to be bigger and better. Learn from them. Grow. Be better.

In July 2012, I’ll be releasing my very first Indie Pub novella. It’s part of the Unspun Series with authors Berinn Rae and Elle J Rossi. I can’t tell you how wonderful working on this story has been. We gave ourselves realistic deadlines, took our time writing them, revised them, critiqued them, and then had a professional editor proof them. Yes, we’re doing it right.

Why self pub?

Well, mostly because I was tired of deadlines, I needed a chance to write something for art and not feel like I was deconstructing my story, and I wanted the control. Don’t get me wrong, I love my publishers, but it was just such a busy year last year that I really developed some bad writing habits—forgetting that I had children, husband, family, a life—that I needed to get back to some fundamentals.

I made a list of all the things that worked for me and didn’t with both styles of publishing, and I’d love to share them.

Small Press VS Indie:

SP Win: Having a professionally trained editor work with you to make your story perfect.

IP Lose: Having to pay for a professionally trained editor to make your story perfect.

SP Win: Marketing with other authors and often splitting the cost of advertising.

IP Lose: It’s a lone marketing adventure.

SP Lose: Drama. Anytime you get that many women, artist, professionals together, there will be some sort of drama or hurt feelings or misunderstandings— it may not be with you directly, but you’ll witness it.

IP Win: No Drama, unless you argue with yourself.

SP Lose: Loss of control. You are at the mercy of the publisher.

IP Win: All the control. If your book isn’t as ready as you’d like, you can extend deadlines. It’s a wonderful thing.

These are just a few of the differences, but they are the ones that made me try an Indie Pub book. I’m crossing my fingers that this story is a success and if it’s not, I’ll just write another, lol. Each book is different and you never know when that “Book of your heart” will appear. I’m still chasing mine. 

I’d love to know if you are published, why you chose the route you took. Please feel free to share. 

About the author:

Rachel Firasek grew up in the south and despite the gentle pace, she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity about mythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her to writing. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchanted fairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.

Today you’ll find her tucked on a small parcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husband and children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animated reenactments of bad 80’s dance moves.

She’s intrigued by anything unexplained and seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her where the heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachelfirasek.com.

This is part of a weekly feature, posted each Friday, which looks at publishing related topics. If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me.

Previous posts:
Indie Authors are on the Wrong Side of the Tracks by Darian Wilk
Why Do Indie Writers Need Editors by Valerie Douglas
Let's Talk About Sex ... in YA Books - Is Sexual Content Appropriate by Deb Hanrahan
Traditional vs. Self-Publishing: Why I Chose to Fight the Odds by Ryan Graudin
It's All About Me - Marketing and Branding as an Indie Author by Patti Larsen

It's All About Me - Marketing and Branding as an Indie Author

It's All About Me!
Marketing and Branding as an Indie Author
Guest Post by Patti Larsen

My ongoing icebreaker to those who ask what my writing goals are is pretty powerful—I want world literary domination. It makes people laugh, myself included most times I say it, mostly because it sounds so impossible and improbable.

Thing is, it’s not a joke, at least not completely. I’ve always wanted the fame and fortune thing. To be a household name that slips from the tongue with the likes of King, Rowling and Tolkien. But I’ve want it for the right reasons, at least the ones that fill me up and make me happy.

I have wonderful stories to tell. And I want everyone to read them.

Simple, right? The concept is, definitely. When I dove head-first into independent publishing, opening my own company, hiring my team who come together with me for different projects, I was hyper focused on production—writing, editing, cover design, interiors, getting books out there. Most of the marketing I engaged in was what we call soft launch, with very little fanfare.

Why, you ask, did I not decided to pick a book and give it my all in the promotion arena? I’m a firm believer in the fact that more product means more sales. And that until I had a stable of product to sell to potential buyers, it was silly to waste my hot air (and it’s hot, trust me!) on asking people to buy my book.

Fast forward from August of 2011 until the present. I now have eighteen novels in happy publication, all but two in sequels. I’ve been using the Amazon KDP Select program along with social media to spread the word, and sales are very, very good considering how little marketing I’ve been doing. More than enough to pay for more edits, more covers, more of the things I need to keep going. I’m now self-sufficient and it feels amazing.

But it’s now time to shift focus and gears and get to the whole domination issue. I have really amazing books I’m very proud of that are ready, willing and able to pave my path. But to make it happen, outside being noticed by some random star who pimps me and gets my name out, I need a plan.

So, I hired a marketing expert. A website designer. A photographer. Together, as part of a new team, we are putting together my brand. And it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Harder than writing books--pffft, that’s easy. Putting my face on everything and making my image and my personality responsible for my success?

To quote my favorite teen witch: Oh. My. Swearword.

But I’m doing it. Learning what it means to be a brand and the marketing strategies behind it. How not to sell to people, but to bring them to me. How to make my books stand out even more in a world of five-second attention spans. It’s fun and different and I’m enjoying it even as I’m shaking my head in frustration when I don’t get it or asking myself what I’m thinking jumping in with both feet.

Then again, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.

So, the question is: what can you do to forward your marketing? Does the thought of doing a keyword analysis scare the crap out of you or do you even know what I’m talking about? How about figuring out what your brand is—can you sum up your work and yourself in one short sentence? The goal is to understand who you are as a writer and what you’re really trying to say with your books, while really seeing the people you’re trying to reach. What does your website look like—is it all about you? Are you targeting your posts toward your audience or other writers? Do you have a media kit or is the basis of your marketing shouting out your book over social networks? And if you have found something that works for you, was it on purpose or did you stumble over it? As much as we might dislike this side of the job, looking at marketing with a wide-eyed curiosity and a sense of fun can go a long way toward success.

About the Author:
Patti Larsen is an award-winning middle grade and young adult author with a passion for the paranormal. Her YA thriller series, The Hunted, is available now. Book one of that series, RUN, is a recent recipient of the 2012 PEI Book Awards for Fiction. The first six books of The Hayle Coven Novels, starting with Family Magic, are also out now. Her YA steampunk series, Blood and Gold, can be found on Amazon, along with her YA paranormal novel, Best Friends Forever, and The Diamond City Trilogy. Her middle grade novel, The Ghost Boy of MacKenzie House (Acorn Press), debuts in June, 2012. She is a full time writer and a part time teacher of her Get Your Book Done program. Patti lives on the East Coast of Canada with her very patient husband and four massive cats.

You can connect with Patti on her website, Facebook and Twitter.

This is part of a weekly feature, posted each Friday, which looks at publishing related topics. If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me.

Previous posts:
Indie Authors are on the Wrong Side of the Tracks by Darian Wilk
Why Do Indie Writers Need Editors by Valerie Douglas
Let's Talk About Sex... in YA Books - Is Sexual Content Appropirate by Deb Hanrahan
Traditional vs. Self Publishing - Why I Chose to Fight the Odds by Ryan Graudin

Traditional vs. Self Publishing: Why I Chose to Fight the Odds

Traditional vs Self-publishing: 

Why I Chose to Fight the Odds

by Ryan Graudin

These days in the writing world, there seems to be a growing rift in opinions regarding traditional publishing vs self-publishing. Why go through the endless hoops of rejection and blind-luck that accompanies the world of traditional publishing when you can control every aspect of your book and make it widely available to the public on your own?

When you look at the statistics, it’s easy to see why so many writers choose the path of self-publishing. Frankly speaking, landing a contract with a traditional publishing house is hard. This article by Michelle White dives into more details about the numbers, but it seems the odds of landing a single agent and securing a book contract is around .0001%. No matter how you look at it, those numbers are daunting and heart-wrenching.

So, as a writer, why did I choose to fight those odds?

I’ve been on both sides of the publishing spectrum. I was 17 when I self-published my first novel. It was my senior thesis for my creative writing major (I went to an arts high school), a 250-page fantasy novel entitled Shadows Fall. As a part of the course requirements, I had to self-publish the novel. This was 2005, mind you, and self-publishing was still a relatively new concept. In the end I sold close to 300 copies to my very eager family and friends.

Fast forward eight years and I’m now fortunate enough to be a part-time writer with a two-book contract with HarperTeen. Those eight years were filled with a lot of writing, re-writing, rejection and tears (I would say sweat and blood, but unfortunately typing only burns so many calories). I faced a lot of fears and set-backs, but I never really considered going back to self-publishing.

Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t. Despite the odds, traditional publishing provides one thing self-publishing doesn’t: accountability. My agent and my editor have made me write and rewrite and tweak my manuscript in ways I would never think of on my own. What I would’ve considered publishable on my own was actually only a third or fourth draft out of ten. Traditional publishing has pushed my work to be the best it can be before it faces the world.

This isn’t to say there aren’t self-published books of literary merit, or that all traditionally published books are masterpieces, but after going through both processes I’ve begun to appreciate the sieve that traditional publishing provides. As a reader, I’m much more likely to choose a book that’s first been plucked from the slush by an agent and an editor. As a writer, it’s invaluable to have a team of professionals guiding me through the process of sharing my stories with the world. They have insights and ideas and resources that are far beyond my scope. For me, it was worth fighting the odds and taking that risk to give my book the chance to be the best it can possibly be.

What about you guys? For the writers among you, what method of publishing have you chosen to pursue and why? As readers, do you hold any bias for or against a book based on its publishing process?

About the author:

When she’s not writing and drifting around the globe, Ryan Graudin enjoys hunting through thrift stores and taking pictures of her native Charleston, SC. Her novel LUMINANCE HOUR, the story of a Faery forced to guard the Prince of England, is due out with HarperTeen in 2013. You can learn about all of these things and more at http://ryangraudin.blogspot.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @ryangraudin.

This post is part of a new feature on Krazy Book Lady. Each week on Fridays, we are looking at a topic related to some aspect of publishing. If you are interested in writing a guest post for this feature, please contact me. Here are the posts for the previous weeks.

~ Indie Authors are on the Wrong Side of the Tracks by Darian Wilk
~ Why Do Indie Writers Need Editors by Valerie Douglas
~ Let's Talk About Sex ... in YA Books - Is Sexual Content Appropriate by Deb Hanrahan

Another guest post that was not part of this feature but fits in perfectly: What are the Mistakes You See in Beginner Writers by Shannon Mayer