Tag: conversations with a self-publishing writer

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

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 08/14/2015

WHY SHOULD I PUBLISH? Part II

Last week I started our conversation by comparing a couple concepts between Traditional Publishers and Self-Publishing Presses. One particular piece must be added before other things are shared. I’m referring to the author’s stress levels during any publishing process, and how people deal with people during this specific “life event.”  Yes, having one’s book published is definitely a “life event.”

Stress

If you’ve been writing for very long you’re aware of the birthing experience of placing words on a page—many pages—and reaching the point when you’re willing to let someone else read it—some-ONE. That is a big step with even steeper steps that follow that may include a critique/support group, then possibly an agent (or two) and finally the folks at the publishing house or self-publishing press. Each of these steps are milestones of accomplishment and there are no ways around them if you want to see you book in print.  So let’s talk about the specific stress elements you’ll be facing.

  • Because writing begins as a solitary endeavor, we have the ability to agree (and disagree) with how our projects are coming along. Self-editing is a particular skill that we all have but is dangerous to totally rely upon.  Thus, the value of connection with a writers support group.  I’ve enjoyed fellowship in three amazing groups.
    • The first one took me by my toddler-writing-hands and gently fed me concepts and skills that will be with me forever.
    • The second was my writing/editing team at my place of employment where we developed magazine articles. This band of writers honed my abilities and further developed my appreciation for defining words before using them haphazardly.
    • The third (and current) group is my rock. These writers not only encourage me, they also hold me to task in reaching for and completing my dreams.
    • The stress felt in each of these group-settings is healthy stress—exciting and filled with people who become forever-friends.
  • WHEN your book is complete and that manuscript sits upon your desk it is time to DECIDE which road you will take to get it published.
    • Will you seek an agent to “sell” your book to a traditional publisher?
    • What percentage of your royalties will they take? 10%? 15%?
    • Will you approach traditional publishers on your own? What royalties will they pay you? 20%? 30%?
    • Does your book demand being in the hands of readers quickly—thus leading you to self-publish?
    • Which self-publishing press will you select? How much money will be needed to self-publish?
    • Weighing the pros and cons of this publishing decision-making process is, indeed, stressful. However, no one can make this choice for your book but you.
  • THEN comes more decisions about…
    • Exterior cover (front and back)
    • Interior design (headers/footers, introduction or preface, etc.)
    • Hardback or softcover/paperback
    • AND…marketing…(a discussion for another day).

There is a buzz-word that has appeared in the self-publishing world…Indie-Authors…short for Independent Authors. I like the sound of it. It speaks to me of pioneer days when independent dreamers crossed the plains and wrote of their dreams and adventures—much like we do today sitting in our writing rooms and allowing our imaginations (and research) the place to create great stories. Yes, I recommend self-publishing…becoming an Indie-Author and directing the players on my stage of book production and book release into the world. ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT 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.
Royalene Speaks, Self-Publishing

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 08/07/2015

[UPDATE: Apologies for the posting error this morning!  It should be corrected now.

– SPA Blogrunner]

WHY SHOULD I PUBLISH?

Isn’t the world turning to their iPads and Kindles for research and pleasure reading?  WHY should anyone jump through all those book-publishing hoops these days? Last time I attempted to break through the walls and cross the motes to reach a traditional publisher every door slammed shut! No agent would take the time to even read my manuscript because “the main topic is too obscure.” The one publishing house editor who might have read the first few pages sent me a form rejection letter with a scrawled note at the bottom. “We’re packed to the gills with contracted publishing projects for at least the next five years.” OH, the cry of the writer who is unpublished today or who has barely stepped into the published author arena.  Within my sphere of writer-acquaintances I have two examples to share with you today. One author was “accepted” by a small (yet mainstream) publishing house and one made the decision to self-publish with an established “press.”

The “house” author was so excited to have the backing of a known publishing house.  However, as the months and years went by her enthusiasm dwindled. It was two months shy of three years before the book reached bookstores.  The eBook and online presence came along much later.  Then came the realities of marketing.  Yes, this book wore the label of the mainstream publishing house.  Yes, it was listed in their catalog of New Releases that went to bookstores around the world.  Yes, they offered a helper to “get the marketing off and running.”  However, (SURPRISE!) the actual marketing beyond their label and catalog would have to be done by the author—or a “contract” marketing team-for-hire.

The self-publishing “press” author held her finished book in her hand 98-days after submitting the manuscript with immediate availability to bookstores, major online book sites and as an eBook. That time-frame comparison alone has brought many new champions to the field of self-publishing.  Here are a few other contrasts that will help all writers in making their publishing decisions.

PROS

  • Traditional Publisher (TP): There is NO upfront expense to the author who is accepted by and signs a contract with a mainstream publisher—and often there is an “advance payment” based on expected sales.
  • TP handles development (editing, rewrites, enhancements, etc.) of your manuscript as well as onset marketing, distribution and some traditional “warehousing.”
  • Self-Publishing Presses (SP) have developed priced “packages” of publishing options for authors to select from—from bare bones “print my book” to full-assistance Custom Cover and Interior design.
  • SP Authors maintain 99% of the control in developing their book. I say 99% because there still remains some printer guidelines regarding the finished “trim-size” of books.

CONS

  • The days of the 6-figure advances are gone.  Plus, authors are beginning to consider their lost income due to the years it takes to get a book in print through Traditional Publishing.
  • There is also the very real concern that TP editors and book developers/marketing specialist will turn an author’s work into something it was never meant to be.  TPs will deny this happens—yet too many authors tell a different story.
  • Because Self-Publishing presses consider their main goal is to get the book OUT and available to readers QUICKLY, many do not have a printed Galley Proof for authors to hold in their hands and actually “proof.”  Although online Galley Proofing is an excellent way to manage corrections and changes, it is not always the easiest process for the Author.

These are the first of the Pros and Cons I will share with you this month.  However, I will add here that for me personally, the biggest factor to overcome as an author is actually releasing my work into the hands of ANYONE else—whether traditional publisher or self-publishing press.  Other eyes (professional publishing eyes) will be looking at what I’ve created.  So, bottom line, I search for the right fit within current publishing options. That means research into the publishing field beyond what I ever expected so that the heart of my words will reach the hearts of my readers. ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT 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.