Author: selfpublishingadvisor

Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations: 9/1/2017 (on Labor Day!)

SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS CELEBRATE WRITERS!

Labor Day

Many years ago, at a writing workshop, one of the author/speakers shared the following words, which continue to inspire me today: When no one is watching, always write from your heart and with excellence; for those pages become the fruit of your labor.

Do your friends (and family) understand the labor intensive work you’re doing when you’re writing? Unless they are also writers, most folks have no clue. However, not long after I heard the above statement, I adopted the Labor Day Holiday as one of significance for me and I’ve used its history to help “other people” gain a better understanding of my profession as a WRITER. Here are a few thoughts for you to share with others, too.

labor day

  • The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City, a highly promoted event connected to factory labor union workers who were definitely under-appreciated at the time.
  • The idea to celebrate “workingmen” and their labor quickly spread across the country and by 1885 most every industrial center across America participated.
  • The celebration of Labor Day soon expanded to workers in every physically laborious industry from laundry workers to construction and dock workers.

The component of Labor Day that speaks to me—as an author—is the basic definition: Labor Day “honors the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of their country.” It honors “the vital force of labor in the U.S. that has contributed substantially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known.”

Writers, and the labor we engage in on a daily basis, are absolutely part of that “vital force of labor” who make valuable contributions matching that definition to a “T.”

The greatest contribution we offer to the world is IDEAS!

  • Author Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a prolific writer in the 18th century who greatly influenced many of the writers of the U. S. Declaration of Independence.
  • Benjamin Franklin’s writings not only influenced the early U.S. colonies (politically) but gave clear ideas for the development of the Postal Service
  • Thomas Paine in his books, The Rights of Man and Common Sense, continue to contribute to the “prosperity and well-being” of the world.
  • George Orwell’s novel, 1984, remains a best seller today as it offers a thought-provoking “what if” scenario.

YOUR WRITING LABORS are producing more IDEAS right now. Whether in the genre of Memoir, like Anne Frank (The Diary of a Young Girl) or the realm of other worlds like Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451) and C.S. Lewis (The Narnia Chronicles), the writing we accomplish today will sow ideas into the future for generations yet unborn.

I am often asked why I believe so much in self-publishing and the answer I offer contains all of what I’m sharing today. I believe every writer is inspired to create the specific piece they’re working on. However, traditional publishing simply takes TOO LONG to get books “in print,” their selection process DROPS TOO MANY excellent authors, and their books have a finite lifespan. With the support of self-publishing presses our books can literally STAY IN PRINT, period. ⚓︎

 

Royalene

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.
Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.
Kelly Speaks, news from the editorial desk, Uncategorized

A Very Fond Farewell!

Last week, I hinted that I might have some news to share in my usual bi-weekly Wednesday blog post. Now the time has come to share that news, and I’m anxious. I’m excited. I’m a bundle of emotions!

Simply put, I’m leaving my current position with Outskirts Press and moving on to work closely with my husband, who runs a coffee business. I know, I know … what is it about authors and coffee? In all seriousness, though, I found myself facing some tough decisions–Leave or stay? Work with friends or family?–and found myself excited by the opportunities this new work will give me, as an author and publishing professional.

In short, it’s time.

I’m going to miss everyone! I am grateful to Outskirts Press for providing me years of great experience and opportunity. I’m grateful to have been invited to take part in this blog–I just checked, and my first post went up in August of 2008. Nine years! NINE. That’s amazing. You, dear readers, are amazing. I will miss writing for you, but in ending my work at Outskirts Press I find I must also focus on my private writings, which you can keep up with on my own personal blog (www.kellyschuknecht.com).

In the meantime, keep following the lovely folks here at Self-Publishing Advisor! I’m honored that I got to work with Lisa, Elizabeth, Royalene, and all the authors who came before us on the blog. They have plenty of exciting ideas for the future, and I can’t wait to see what the coming years have in store for the self-publishing industry. ♠

kelly schuknecht

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the outgoing Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog, kellyschuknecht.com
elizabeth speaks, in your corner, Uncategorized

In Your Corner: What Happens … After?

what's next

There’s a lot that goes into bringing a book to the point of publication … but there’s a lot that comes after, too–as you likely already know, since you’re here and reading this post.

So … where to start? Planning out what you’re going to do now that your book has been published–or if you’re one of the more prescient among us and are looking ahead, when your book has been published–is almost as important as writing your book. Not quite, maybe. You wouldn’t have a book to market if you didn’t actually write the thing, so there’s that. But it’s undeniable that a careful, thoughtful, and strategic plan for what comes after–after the writing, after the publication–is vital to making sure your book actually sells.

I have a couple of questions to help you get started, questions which might just shape how you go forward after publication:

  1. Do you plan on selling your book on your own at a local event or book signing? If yes, make sure to watch what your publisher charges you for book copies. There’s quite a lot of legalese and fine print to parse, especially when we’re talking about vanity presses and self-publishing companies which privilege profit over people. If you don’t understand immediately how much your author copies will cost, both now and in the future, it’s probably a sign that the company in question is trying to make it hard to understand. And that’s never a good sign. Go with a company which goes out of its way to make the author copy situation and pricing transparent and easy to understand! And one which offers you a consistent discount. No matter who you go with as your publisher, you’ll want some physical copies on hand. They’re amongst the best marketing tools you have!
  2. Are you planning on selling your book online? Watch out for the prices of other books in the same genre or content area; pricing your book correctly will go a long way toward making sure it sells. Don’t trust Google to answer the pricing question for you, either … thousands upon thousands of blog posts and pieces have been written in the past to explain the intricacies of the Amazon marketplace, but the situation with online retailers like Amazon and B&N is always fluid and changing, so even if we’re talking about an article written this year, the information may already be out of date. There’s a fine line between overvaluing and undervaluing your book; the former will cut into your sales figures, and the latter will make it hard to turn a profit, no matter how many copies you sell! The best policy is to do your own market research–and this is doubly useful, since you will learn a lot about how books similar to yours make use of the digital sales space–with giveaways, sales copy, and linkages across social media.

And look, it’s okay if you’re not yet through the publishing process. It’s always a good time to plan ahead. In fact, knowing what you’re going to do after your book is published will help you select the right publisher to fit you and your book in the first place! Before you open your pocketbook and give someone your money, you absolutely should consider all of the fine print and the advantages available to you … both during the publishing process itself, and during the marketing and support periods which come after.

Luckily, you and I both live in a day and age when there are plenty of options available, so you rather have your pick of the buffet. Some publishing companies are long on publishing assistance and short on marketing, and others are the opposite. Some offer stellar services across the board … but at a price which is too high for the average self-publishing author. And others … others walk the tight rope between quality services and affordability, and walk it well. The key to making the most of your money is to have a good sense of what has to come after publication, what you want to come after, and how your existing resources and skill sets fit into the picture. Your priorities are paramount, and have everything to do with crafting a solid plan for your book’s future.

You are not alone. ♣︎

Elizabeth

ABOUT ELIZABETH JAVOR: With over 18 years of experience in sales and management, Elizabeth Javor works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable publishing consultants, pre-production specialists, customer service reps and book marketing specialists; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Elizabeth Javor can put you on the right path.
amazon reviews, Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

Tuesday Book Review: “e-Love”

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review:

e love i a nova

e-Love: Escapades in Search of Romance in the Digital Age

by I. A. Nova

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781478776727

cipa evvy award

a CIPA EVVY Award Nominee!

Synopsis*:

Swipe right for E-Love, I. A. Nova’s charming, witty tale of love in the digital age. After being dumped by the man she thought was her one and only, Claire, a romantic, finds herself looking for love online.

A romantic using an online dating site? What could go wrong?

To Claire’s surprise, after only a few missteps, she meets Ian, an enigmatic musician and horseman. Their love burns bright and true.

For a while.

Once again, Claire finds herself alone, but this time she understands that romantic love is not the only thing that can fill the space in her heart. She decides to make her way to Africa, where she will fully devote herself to helping others by volunteering at an orphanage.

Claire’s life is not done twisting and turning, though. The online world is infinite, and so are the paths our real lives can take. After a chance encounter, Claire finds herself at a crossroads. Which way will she swipe this time?

 * courtesy of Amazon.com

Featured Review:

Nowadays new technologies have affected all spheres of life, including love. Virtual love supplanted the real, affecting the quality of relationships and values between women and men. True love has become sort of a ghost and found its place in the imagination and hopes of desperate cyberspace voyageurs. Claire is one of them. She is bathing in the rays of loneliness and disappointment, living through truth and lies, tears and joy, occasionally sharing the mystery of her heart with her dear friend. The book is about a chapter in a life of a young, intelligent, and divorced woman who realized that “the world is made for couples” and in her efforts to find “the One” dives into the world of online dating. She discovers not only surprises that come along with online dating but also herself, the new Claire, who is ready to share the warmth of her heart at any distance in the cyberspace in order to find true feelings in the second world, which is the reality. Unfortunately, virtual love hurts the real heart. Will Claire be able to say goodbye to e-cards and e-flowers ending online love games and textationships and lay a solid foundation for the lasting and beautiful relationship with someone from the real world; or will she drown in the gigabytes of virtual memories and affection? It is for the reader to find out.
I highly recommend this book for both women and men. It will grasp your attention to the last page. Witness the richness of imagination intertwined with bitter reality that single women often face when exposing their souls to e-love. The book is well-written and contains numerous scenes that will make you laugh and cry (the scene with the river otters made me cry and feel so much for Claire). I read this book non-stop for 8 hours and, in the end, I wanted to know more. I think the author should consider writing the second part, and, in my opinion, the story is an excellent choice for a modern romance movie.
Single men, who face difficulties in finding a partner online, are recommended this read because they can learn more about the mysterious mind of a woman in search of love, her inner desires, and what she really wants in a man. The novel reveals the author’s mastery of interpreting the matters of the heart and explores the mind of a single woman. Very compelling and details-rich story. Impressive debut by a new and talented American author who, no doubt, should be noticed and rewarded. I.A. Nova rocks!

– Review by Natasha R on Amazon

 

Here’s what some other reviewers are saying:

This isn’t a short book, but it reads quick. It starts off quickly and keeps going all the way to the end — never slowing a bit.

If you’re looking for a quick, clean, fun look at a woman’s journey through the tangled mess of internet dating, this is a good choice.

The only thing I didn’t like was the end. I didn’t know if Claire ended up with Ian, Yves or just went to Africa by herself. The story just sort of ends… with that question hanging in the air… and I prefer endings where everything is wrapped up neatly with a bow.

But, regardless… I enjoyed the heck outta this little book. It’s probably one of the sweetest reads I’ve had in a long time.

– Amazon Reviewer J Carl

I recently had the pleasure of reading “E-Love” by I. A. Nova, and was happily surprised. The readers follow the “online” adventures of Claire, the main character, whose great personality and determination takes her on a roller coaster ride of emotions and experiences. The story is eloquently written, filled with twist and turns, and presented with a touch of humour. Everyone can easily identified with Claire and her adventures, frustrations, and hopes that comes with joy of “finding love” online and in life! I highly recommend this book! 🙂

– Amazon Reviewer Vic

 

tuesday book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space!

Self Publishing Advisor

selfpubicon1

news from the self publishing world, self publishing news, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing News: 8.28.2017 – Publishing Trends

Hello august. Splash paint letters

And now for the news!

Some highlights from this month in the world of self-publishing, specifically regarding publishing trends within the publishing industry, and their implications for all authors!

Well, of course they do! I mean, when you look at the numbers, that’s quite a bit less than one in ten people alive on Planet Earth–and if you’ve spoken to any number of earthlings lately, you’ll know we’re a species addicted to storytelling and words. But the point, according to the UK’s Southern Reporter, is actually something quite different. (And also, the article is talking specifically about 5.3 citizens of the United Kingdom alone, which is rather a smaller population than Earth’s 7 billion.)  No … the point is that memoir and autobiography now make up a majority in terms of author-interest. According to the article, “One in five of those planning to write a book would like to pen their own life story (21 per cent), more than twice the number of any other non-fiction genre and considerably more than any genre of fiction” (emphasis added). This means that, in about five or ten year’s time, whenever this massive percentage of UK authors finally sits down to pen books in their retirement years, the majority of books published may in fact be autobiography and memoir–not mass market genre fiction. Not romance, not crime fiction, not Nordic Noir. How cool is that? Keep your eyes on your pocketbooks, people! British nonfiction is a storied and legendary canon, and about to get a lot more diverse and interesting!

We’ve known for a while now that the publishing industry isn’t doing so well, as a whole, while self-publishers are growing and diversifying at record pace. Well, this article by Michelle Caffrey of the Philadelphia Business Journal chronicles the progress of BookBaby, a South Jersie Print-on-Demand (POD), ebook distribution, and indie publishing company known for its ease of use. The full text of the article is only available to subscribers, but if you don’t happen to be one, you can catch much of the same information in other places and from the BookBaby website itself, specifically its “in the press” page.

And you thought the New Yorker was irrelevant to indie authors, huh? Well, maybe even the New York literary scene can take a clue or two, as Stephen Burt’s most recent piece dives into the nature and values of fanfiction. The worlds of fanfiction and self-publishing are not, it’s true, one and the same–but there’s a tight correspondence to explore, as very often fanfiction authors have no other option forward to publication than going indie, and many times established self-publishing authors began as writers with a foray or two into the fanfic universe. Burt spends some quality time with other cousins of the self-publishing movement, cousins we have spoken about regularly here on the blog–fanzines, science fiction (and other popular genre fictions), as well as the rich relationship between scholarly analysis and pop culture–and upon which we could hold forth for quite a long time. Suffice it to say, Burt’s piece is a refreshing take from an establishment magazine which has often spurned “our people,” and an insightful bit of analysis in and of itself. Well worth taking a look!

spa-news

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry.This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Monday to find out the hottest news. If you have other big news to share, please comment below.
Kelly
ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog, kellyschuknecht.com.