Tag: self publish

Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo is Over, Now What?

Congratulations to everyone who finished the NaNoWriMo challenge as well as those who worked on their manuscripts but didn’t finish. Even though NaNoWriMo is over, you can still finish your book or start the publishing process. Here are three things to do now that NaNoWriMo has ended.

1. Set a new goal.

Whether or not you finished the challenge, now is the perfect time to set a new goal for yourself. There are only a few of 2013 left, so why not use them to do something that will help make your writing dreams come true. Some possible goals include finishing your manuscript or editing your first draft.

2. Edit, edit, edit.

NaNoWriMo is all about writing a certain number of words in a month, so writers save revisions and edits for later. It is essential for you to go back and edit your manuscript for developmental issues such as plot and characters as well as grammar and style. I highly recommend writers have a professional editor review your manuscript before publication.

3. Publish!

Once your manuscript is complete and ready for publication, start researching publishing options. Whether you choose to self-publish or use a traditional publisher, research is important. Each publisher offers different services, and traditional publishers are very specific about the type of books they will publish.

I’d love to know, what are your plans now that NaNoWriMo is over?

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

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 12/06/13

‘Tis the SEASON to…

Last year I pretty much gave up shopping—well shopping in the marketing-media frenzy sense, anyway.  My passion for books—and the authors I’ve worked with—inspired me to buy their books and send them to family and friends.  I enjoyed the “holiday bargains,” of course, but much more than that, I felt as if I was passing forward the legacy of writing (and good story telling) that my self-publishing clients represent.

It was also last year that I seemed to hit a wall of mounting disappointment as I listened to the younger generations of my family and friends talking about their “exasperating,” even “frightening”, holiday shopping experiences.  A long-hidden rebellion within me grew and my fingers flew over the keyboard writing op-ed pieces to send to every daily or weekly print publisher.  I wanted to make a statement!  I wanted THE SEASON to be different!  I wanted it to be PEACEFUL!  Full of GOOD CHEER!  LOVE and LAUGHTER abounding on every block, in every city, town and nation!  However, to my own discredit, not one of my pieces was sent.  Too many last minute details derailed my fervor.  However, this season, I’m thinking of pulling out those pieces—developing them into a book—and self-publishing it in plenty of time for next year’s marketing-media-frenzy.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll join me in a taste of rebellion and allow your thoughts to stroll back to your favorite Holiday Season(s)—and WRITE about them.  Besides finding “just what you wanted” under the tree, what other memories do you see?  A favorite aunt bringing her deee-licious walnut fudge to Christmas dinner?  Your grandmother telling her version of “naughty” stories about your dad?  The next door neighbor stopping by with a handmade toy carved from oak wood just for you!

Over the years our family has enjoyed many traditions such as the youngest child placing the ceramic Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas Eve and attending Christmas Eve church services.  One fairly new tradition in our house is watching a made-for-TV movie titled Silent Night.  This true-story, produced in 2002, stars Linda Hamilton as the German mother of a young son (age 12) who will soon be conscripted into Hitler’s army.  She takes him out of the city to a cabin in the woods—not far from “enemy” lines.  It is Christmas Eve, 1944, and unexpected guests arrive: first three American soldiers, then three German soldiers.  She demands a truce between them—for this one night.

You may be wondering why this movie?  Simple answer.  It inspired me.  This movie was created from an oral history interview with a high school student!  Her subject was Fritz Vincken, the boy in the “story,” and the one thing he remembered most about his childhood was war.  Many of us—many of our neighbors—and too many the world over hold such memories or actually live in war zones today.  I don’t want to forget that.  I don’t want to get so caught up in shopping or party-planning that I misplace my compassion for those who are hurting.  And, for me, seeing/experiencing a well-written, well-directed, well-acted movie such as Silent Night helps me hold my center; helps me appreciate the gifts I’ve been given that cannot be wrapped.

Plus, realizing that this story was developed (written/scripted) from a collection of oral histories done by high school students is exceptionally inspiring to me.  Important, vital, must-be-told stories are out there waiting for the right person to write them!  Is that YOU?

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.
Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Weekly Self Published Book Review: Watch Where You Step

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 by Midwest Book Review:

watch where you step

Watch Where You Step

Jenepher Field

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 9781432769291

As you leave something, you will find something else quickly. “Watch Where You Step: Going to the Dogs” is a memoir from Jenepher Field as she states her retirement turned out to be anything but. Drawn to new business, new experiences, she found her calling in caring for lost dogs and cats, something she didn’t expect herself to be doing. Poignant with a slice of life, “Watch Where You Step” is a fine pick for memoir collections, recommended.

Choosing a Publisher, Jodee Speaks, Self-Publishing

Comparison: Outskirts Press Diamond Publishing Package vs Createspace Standard Publishing Package

A follower asked if I would compare the Diamond publishing package offered by Outskirts Press with Createspace’s option. He didn’t specify which package he was interested in at Createspace, so I decided to compare the package with a similar price point — the Standard.

I do not envy the author shopping the self-publishing market as it is impossible to do apples-to-apples comparisons since no two packages are going to offer exactly the same features and services. As a professional in the industry, it’s easier for me to cut through the fluff, charts and graphs and distill it down for an author. That’s just what I’ve done here, but remember, offerings change sometimes, so this comparison is current as of the date I did my researcher (November 20th, 2013), and it is limited to information I could obtain on the website of the two companies.

Outskirts Press Diamond Publishing Package
$999		 CreateSpace Standard Publishing Package
$948
P
R
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
N		 Paperback Format ✓ ✓
Customizable Cover (1 stock image) ✓ ✓
Professional Interior Formatting ✓ ✓
Interior images 10 for $49 10 Free
Interior Charts, Tables, Graphs 10 for $49 $25 each
Author Copies (Paperback) 10 Copies 0? Not listed on package page
Free Standard eBook Format ✓
M
A
R
K
E
T
I
N
G		 Standard Press Release ✓ No mention of these items on the Standard package page or comparison chart
Author Webpage ✓
Streaming Audio ✓
Marketing COACH Emails (2 years) ✓

In the above comparison of just the package basics, there are many similarities and really only two differences that stand out:

  1. The Diamond package includes a few marketing options and nothing similar is shown to come with the Standard package.
  2. The Standard package includes the insertion of 10 interior images, while this service costs extra with the Diamond package. If you don’t have any interior images, this won’t matter to you. But, if you have interior elements that are charts, graphs or tables, these are included in the “10 for $49” fee with the Diamond while you may pay $25 for each chart/graph/table with the Standard.

In addition to looking at the upfront cost and package inclusions, it’s important to look at royalties. It’s also imperative that you use the same parameters in determining this pricing information. For my research, I used a 6″ x 9″ paperback, black and white interior with 100 pages and a retail price of $9.95. Here are the results:

The CreateSpace site indicates they will deduct a sales channel %, a fixed charge and a per page charge. The result is the author’s royalty.

  • If you want Amazon only distribution, then the sales channel % is 40 ($3.98).
  • If you want expanded distribution, then the sales channel % is 60 ($5.97).
  • For our parameters, the fixed charge is $2.15 per book.
  • The per page charge for less than 108 pages is $0.
  • Therefore, $9.95 retail less $3.98 sales channel, less $2.15 fixed charge nets a royalty of $3.82 if you want Amazon only distribution.
  • Or, $9.95 retail less $5.97 sales channel, less $2.15 fixed charge nets a royalty of $1.83 if you want distribution beyond Amazon.

Outskirts Press has an easy to use and easy to find pricing calculator on their website. They will deduct the trade discount and a base price. The result is the author’s royalty.

  • The trade discount is 25% ($2.49) for online distribution (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million and more).
  • For our parameters, the base price is $4.52.
  • Therefore, $9.95 retail less $2.49 trade discount, less $4.52 base price nets a royalty of $2.94 – regardless of where the book is sold online.

After comparing the two self-publishing services side-by-side, the winner looks to be Outskirts Press. You’ll pay $51 more upfront, but if you want distribution beyond just Amazon, you’ll reap the long-term benefits with the higher royalties from Outskirts Press.

See all the benefits and features of the Diamond publishing package here.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager 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 11/29/13

It is the day after Thanksgiving and many of us were greatly blessed to have shared time with our family and enjoyed that traditional meal.  Now we are faced with yesterday’s leftovers, maybe even a pot or two still soaking in the kitchen sink.  This is the perfect scenario to send writers to their desks to grab pen or pencil, or attack the computer keyboard with renewed determination!  There are no story leftovers!  Each one must be developed, completed and published!

I don’t know about you, but I’m already looking forward to next year and planning to submit my newly self-published book to several contests.  One of the first will be the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards and their Self-Published eBook Awards contests.  There are “early-bird” deadlines and rules to follow, so I’m planning to consult my Personal Marketing Assistant—one of the members of my self-publishing team—for advice.  There is also a wonderful website — www.goodreads.com — that provides a whole list of contests, PLUS allows me to acknowledge my favorite books (past and present).  THAT is where I hope to see my own books listed someday soon!  And there I will find a continuing list of readers who consider my work a “good read.”

There are also the magazines with editors who joined the arena of book award contests.  One that is well established and growing is the ForeWord Reviews magazine.  It was established in 1998 and now distributes quarterly to 7,500 librarians and booksellers and is available at most Barnes & Noble newsstands.  They look at each year’s newly published books for this contest, which is a great avenue for self-published authors to be recognized.  Their motto is “great book/independent voices.”  I like that and hope my writing will catch their attention.

So it is that my thoughts are bouncing between all the stories and articles floating in my head, and the few weeks remaining in this calendar year.  Watching the last leaves fall and snowflakes begin to float through crystal-air, my head is also full of delightful holiday memories.  I cannot help but picture myself in the midst of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the love and laughter to be shared.

SHOULD the writing take a backseat to these activities, I will, however, still have my plan-of-action in place: at least two of my current clients will be published in the New Year; several new clients will become best friends as we get their projects rolling; at least one of my own books will make it to the desks of my self-publishing team; and many book award contests will receive submissions from me and my clients.  I am, indeed, FULL of thanks for the blessings of today and the opportunities that await.

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.