Author: Cheri Breeding

Cheri Speaks

Other Writers Are Your Best Friend

In some industries, professionals are highly competitive, and they treat their fellow professionals as competitors rather than peers. Not in the publishing industry. Sure, it is competitive, but most writers respect other people’s work and want to see other writers succeed. When you considering publishing, befriending a fellow writer is the best thing you can do.

There are so many decisions that impact the success of your book: the cover, the price, the marketing efforts, and so on. Before you make those decisions, you should find out about other writers’ experiences. Most likely, they would be more than happy to share.

Look for writers in your writing group or classes, or reach out to a published writer in your area. You can also connect with other writers through online forums and social media. Most likely, the writers will feel honored to share their stories. Before talking with your new friends, come up with a list of questions. Here are a few to get you started.

Looking back, what would you do differently?

What was the best choice you made?

What were your goals?

What would you recommend to a writer considering publishing for the first time?

After your conversation, be sure to thank the writer for helping and consider staying in touch. It is great to have fellow writers to share ideas and stories with. It cannot only help you with publishing, but it could improve your writing.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Cheri Speaks

Annotation Explained

If you read the title and thought, “What in the world is annotation,” don’t worry; I’m about to explain.

Annotation is often referred to as the wholesaler’s summary because it is the description of your book that is sent to distributors and wholesalers. This summary influences whether or not a distributor buys your book. It also determines if readers purchase your book, particularly readers who shop online. For instance, if a reader is looking at your book on Amazon.com, he or she will see the annotation under product description. By reading that description, the person will decide if the book sounds interesting and is worth buying.

Many times, the annotation is the same as the copy on the back cover of your book. However, you may want to consider writing different copy for the two texts. This is especially true for authors who plan to sell primarily online. When writing an annotation, remember these three tips.

1) Keywords, Keywords, Keywords – Online shoppers often find books through search engines such as google or the search option on a store website. The words in your annotation determine when your book will appear in the search results. You want to the consider the types of words being used as well as the number of times specific words appear. However, you don’t want the copy to read as if it was written for a search engine. You still want the text to flow naturally.

2)Proofread, Several Times – Self-publishing companies will use your annotation exactly as you send it. They do not proofread it for you, unless you pay for copyediting services. Therefore, it is extremely important that you double-check your work. Make sure there are no spelling and grammar errors. You want this text to look and sound professional.

3) Make Sure It is Complete – The annotation must summarize your entire book and convince the reader to purchase it. It is recommended that your annotation be between 3,000 and 3,400 characters, so you have plenty space to fully explain your book and persuade your readers. For non-fiction books, focus on the problem that your book solves. For fiction books, focus on the entertainment value of your book, but be sure not to give away the entire book. You want to entice the reader to buy the book to find out more.

Think about the product descriptions you read when shopping online. What makes you want to purchase a product? What makes you not want to purchase product? The same factors apply to book annotations, so take the time to write to a clear, persuasive, and professional annotation.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Cheri Speaks

How to Choose the Right Ghostwriter

Do you have a great book idea but no time to write it? Are you an expert on a subject but a lousy writer? A ghostwriter may be right for you. There are many reasons people hire ghostwriters, and ghostwriting is very common. Often, books by celebrities, experts, and corporations are written by a ghostwriter. Before hiring a ghostwriter, you need to make sure the writer is right for the project. Here are the three things you should consider.

Writing Samples

 Professional writers often have writing samples for you to review. When reviewing the samples, look at the writing style, tone, grammar, etc. Obviously, you want a writer who writes clearly and correctly. You may also want a writer whose style and tone is similar to your own or who is able to write in different styles and tones. Also, don’t worry if the writer doesn’t have a writing sample similar to your project. You aren’t looking for a replication of a previously done project; you are looking for a writer who has talent and skill.

Experience

Find out about the writer’s work, education, and personal experiences. If he or she has experience with your topic, the writer may be able to bring personal insight and a better understanding to the project. This is especially true for complex subjects that require background knowledge to understand the topic. However, just because a writer doesn’t have experience with your topic doesn’t mean he or she is incapable of completing the project. Most writers are excellent students and researchers.

Personality

A book is a huge project. It takes a significant amount of time, and you need to be able to trust the writer you are working with. Whether you communicate via email, telephone, or face-to-face, make sure you are comfortable with the person. Different people work better with different personality types. Know what you are looking for in a writer, and trust your gut.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Book Design, Cheri Speaks

Submitting Native Files Can Save You Money

Many self-publishing authors are concerned about submitting print ready files. Often, an author will submit print ready files only to discover that the files do not meet on-demand printing requirements. This results in frustration, extra work, and additional fees. To help you better understand the process and avoid spending extra money, here is some basic information you need to know about print ready files and on-demand printing requirements.

On-demand Printing is Unique

On-demand printing is different from offset and home printing. Therefore, the requirements are different. On-demand printing is digital, and machines are not recalibrated to complement the book and file settings. Therefore, the file needs to meet the on-demand requirements.

Your Files Need Reviewed

Authors who submit print ready files often complain about being charged for the self-publishing company reviewing the files. However, many authors will submit print ready files that are not correctly formatted. This results in frustration and extra fees. To avoid this, authors can submit native files and allow the designers at the publishing company to format the book.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.
Book Design, Book Marketing, Cheri Speaks, Choosing a Publisher, Uncategorized

Choosing a Self Publisher

Self publishing is a big decision. Before jumping in, you need to research your options and pick a self publisher that meshes with your needs and goals. Here are three things you should look for when choosing a self-publishing company.

Design Options

Review the company’s interior and cover options. Most companies have standards for each genre. These standards are typically based on what is most viable in the marketplace.

Internal Processes

Each company has a process for handling the publication process, and requesting exceptions to this process can result in extra fees.

Prices and Options

Each company offers a variety of services during production and marketing. Find out what each company offers and the prices.

I’d love to know, what factors helped you choose a self-publishing company?

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.