Category: Uncategorized

Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

Self-Publishing Takes Patience

One of the many benefits of self-publishing is the turnaround time. Self-published books can often be printed much quicker than traditionally published books. That said, successful self-published authors understand that publishing a quality book takes patience. Here is why.

1. Your manuscript should be near flawless.

Before self-publishing your book, you want to make sure you spend plenty of time revising and editing. For some authors, a developmental editor could be extremely beneficial, and for all writers, hiring a professional copyeditor is a must. While no book is completely flawless, readers expect quality books to be close to perfect. If you want your book to be successful, you need to have the patience to go through the editing process.

2. The cover is extremely important.

Despite the cliché “don’t choose a book by its cover,” most readers are highly influenced by the front and back cover of your book. Take the time to design a quality, personalized front cover that depicts the essence of your book. Also, spend time writing professional back cover copy and author bio, and don’t forget to have this copy edited and proofread.

3. Plan, plan, and plan some more.

Even the most well-crafted book can’t be successful if readers don’t know it exists. Successful self-published authors understand the importance of a great marketing and promotion plan. Take time to figure out who your target market is and how you are going to reach them. Some possibilities include setting up and maintaining social media pages, contacting local media, and scheduling book signings.

Remember, patience is a virtue. While you are excited to finally see your book in print, don’t be in such a rush that you skip over important steps in the self-publishing process. Being patient now will pay off in the long run.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order 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, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 7/18/14

IT’S IN THE STARS

WHERE oh where are today’s true Science Fiction writers?  In my youthful days, I cut my reading-teeth on such marvelous other-world adventures as 20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (by Jules Verne), War of the Worlds (by H.G. Wells) and John Carter the mysterious traveler to Mars/Barsoom.  With each impossible John Carter action and invention created by author Edgar Rice Burroughs, my wonderment increased.  Yet, the present-day genre of “science fiction” now includes other facets that (in my opinion) detract from the legacy left to us by these great authors.

The specific definition of the genre of Science Fiction is “…imaginative content such as futuristic settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, faster-than-light travel, parallel universes and extraterrestrial life.  It often explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations and has been called a literature of ideas.  Authors commonly use science fiction as a framework to explore identity, morality, social structure, politics and other literary themes.”  And there you have it!  That is what I’m looking for in my Science Fiction books today.

Did you know that NPR (National Public Radio) did a survey back in 2011 to discover what people were reading in the “science fiction genre?”  This created their list of the Top 100 Science Fiction/Fantasy books (even though I’m not enthused about the addition of the “fantasy” piece).  Out of their Top Ten, only three are still alive and writing—Orson Scott Card, George R.R. Martin and Neil Gaiman.  Of course, I love seeing the work of many of my favorite writers remaining on top: JRR Tolkien, Frank Herbert, George Orwell, Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov to name a few.  However, where are the new writing explorers?

Self-published author, J.M. Erickson has come upon the scene in recent years with some excellent writings.  His most recent, Future Prometheus: Emergence and Evolution, is an excellent beginning to a series that explores the edge of the familiar and the unknown terrain of possibility—a world where the science of today has warped into something totally unexpected.  This is visionary, futuristic, science/technology-based writing that compels the reader to turn the page and think about the possibilities.  Happily, this author has the understanding and background that allows his imagination to explore these “what if” scenarios.  I applaud Mr. Erickson in his writing career, in his choice to self-publish and in his willingness to think and write “outside the box.”

It is my hope that more true Science Fiction writers will step out and accept the legacy to explore human identity, national and world politics, social and cultural paradoxes within this literary framework.  Our lives are changing (evolving) by the minute and we need writers to offer other choices than the ones currently being made.  As Frank Herbert (The Dune series) said, “The gift of words is the gift of deception and illusion.”  That concept needs to be deeply explored allowing us to picture an illusion that exposes deceptions and just might show us the way to better possibilities.

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.
Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

Achieve Your Summer Reading Goals While on Vacation

Reading is one of the best things writers can do to improve their own work. Reading offers inspiration, teaches the craft, and provides insight into what is (or isn’t) successful right now. I frequently encourage writers to set reading goals — read a certain number of books per month. Your summer vacation is the perfect time to achieve those summer reading goals.

Years ago, when you went on vacation you’d pack a small stack of books to enjoy on the plane or as you laid by the pool. Once those books were finished, your reading was done. Obviously for space reasons (and wonderful suitcase weight limits), it just wasn’t possible to pack all the books you wanted to read. Luckily, times have changed.

E-readers make reading while traveling easy. You can download books to reader before leaving or wait and download books as you need them. This offers countless reading possibilities.

While you probably already have a reading wish list, I encourage you to read something you wouldn’t normally read. This is a great way to step outside your comfort zone and discover a new writing style that might just inspire your own work. For book suggestions, check out bestselling lists such as Outskirts Press Top 10 Kindle Books.

I’d love to know, what are you reading on your summer vacation?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the 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 at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

The Importance of Author Copies

Whether you are in the process of self-publishing or you have already published your book, it is smart to consider the importance of author copies. Author copies are simply copies of your book that you purchase (or receive for free from you self-publishing company). These copies can be used in a variety of ways to help promote your book and platform.

Popular uses include:

  • Donating to local libraries or schools
  • Sending to book reviewers
  • Selling at events such as book signings or public speaking events
  • Promotional giveaways

Author copies are essential to authors who use their book to promote their business or platform since they can be sold at events and/or business location. Customers love the convenience of purchasing right then instead of having to go online or to a store to purchase.

Author copies are also great marketing tools. They are used in various promotional efforts such as contests and giveaways.

To learn more about purchasing author copies, contact your self-publishing company.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order 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, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 7/11/14

OPP—Other People’s Photography

In the early months of this year, I began working with a client who is a professional photographer in the art world.  His second book will be available in late August or early September—both are self-published.  He is considering re-publishing the first (through my favorite self-publishing group) in order to take advantage of the new marketing methods.  I am extremely excited for him; not only because his art-photography is exceptional, but also because he is doing the manuscript preparation work in order to promote excellence in photography within the next generations.  An amazing legacy, indeed!

As he and I are crafting his book—placement of photographs with his accompanying verses—he has reminded me of the beauty of our surroundings.  Even the simplest of things (such as a garden crocus or ripples at the water’s edge) can bring peace and inspiration to the viewer.  So it is that once again I am justified in storing the hundreds (well, maybe a thousand or more) photos I’ve collected over the years.  Some of these saved photographic treasures are in calendar form, giving me a vision of castle estates in Ireland; waterfalls from Argentina, New Zealand; the mountains of Colorado; and space views from the Hubble Telescope.

I’m just sayin’ do you have your own photo collection yet?  If not, why not?  I am one of those folks who is just not a world-traveler and yet I love seeing the world and learning as much about it as my brain can absorb.  Then, when I’m writing (creatively constructing) a scene—whether from someone’s real life or within a fictional setting—I can look through my photo collection and visualize the place.  I can imagine the sounds within that environment, the tastes in the air and the texture of grasses, trees, stone walls, pine fences, etc.

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to categorize my photos so that I can find them when needed; there is nothing worse than not being able to locate images when you need them.

  1. Family pictures (always top on my list)
  2. Parks and “playgrounds” (the concept of playgrounds can be most anything that reminds you of where you’ve had FUN, such as amusement parks, hiking trails, backyard BBQs, dances, theatre performances etc.)
  3. Trees: this is a “seasonal” collection for me; but for the tree expert this could also  be categorized by tree species.
  4. Clouds: weather patterns create amazing cloud formations that can “tell” all sorts of fanciful stories.
  5. Places: this category can be divided into multiple sub-categories such as—houses/castles, barns, landmarks, streets (famous and not-so-famous), state capitols, bridges…and lots of others that only you will notice.
  6. Sunrises/Sunsets: these two times of the day seem to inspire me and many authors.
  7. Space (as in Outer Space)…where more humans will travel.
  8. Critters: I have shared my life with several 4-legged friends. Their antics can stir up most any flat story scene.

Of course, there are as many photo collection categories as there are photographers and authors.  Each and every one will help us motivate the writing gifts within us.  WRITE ON, fellow authors.  WRITE ON!

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.