|
How
to be an Author in Today's Publishing World
Every
writer has a different motivation. Some say they have to write because
writing is like breathing to them. While others say they write when they
want to . Regardless of your motivation, the only way you will become an
author is to write. That's simplistic advice, I know. but it's amazing how
many people claim to want to be authors and they take months or even years
off from writing. Without a finished product, your book will never hit the
bookshelves.
Once your book is complete, you have a decision to make. Are you going the
commercial route or the self-publishing route. Let me explain the
difference between the two because most people use those terms
interchangeably.
On a side note, I want to explain commercial publishing vs traditional
publishing. Commercial publishing is when you receive an advance from a
publishing house, an editor works with you to polish the book, and the
publishing house is able to get the book into bookstore shelves.
Traditional publishing is a made up phrase used by "publishers"
who want to trick writers into believing that they (the publishing house)
works just like a commercial publisher. The don't. Most of the time
"traditional publishers" are scam artists.
To go the commercial route, you first have to find an agent who will
contact publishers. Or you can contact publishers directly. Most of the
larger publishers only accept agented submissions. Keep that in mind when
making a decision on the approach is right for you.
Commercial publishing takes longer than self-publishing and the benefits
are worth the wait. With a self-published book there is a next to zero
chance your book will make it onto bookstore shelves. This is important to
note because brick and mortar bookstores are where over ninety percent of
readers buy their books. Amazon accounts for a small percentage of sales.
(This can change but as of this writing in 2011, physical bookstores will
move more of your books than any online seller).
Another thing to keep in mind is when you self-publish that isn't
considered a publishing credit by the industry. You can't use the book as
"evidence" of publishing experience and you will not be
recognized by the Author's Guild.
|
