Publishing

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Let’s talk about book proposals: the Overview

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Let’s talk about book proposals: the Overview

So, really quickly, what is a book proposal? A book proposal is essentially the sales plan for your book – it serves to answer the questions of agents and editors before they ask them. It tells them what your book is about, why you’re the one to write it, and who is actually going to go out and purchase this book. Publishers want to invest in books, but they want to invest in authors, too, and they want to know that they will be making back their investment. (And agents want to know that the clients they are pitching are actually going to sell.)

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Get to know your publishing friends (and foes)

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Get to know your publishing friends (and foes)

Are you new to the world of book publishing? When you first start out, it can seem like a complicated – even overwhelming – world to navigate through. Who are the decision makers and gatekeepers? What do they do, and how can they do to help you and your book? Let’s talk about the traditional publishing journey.

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Traditional vs. Self-Publishing – Which Publishing Path is Right for You?

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Traditional vs. Self-Publishing – Which Publishing Path is Right for You?

Back in the olden days, there was really only one way to publish – with one of the big, traditional publishers. If you wanted to be an “author,” you needed a New York-based editor to make you one – and you could only buy books from bookstores? Nowadays, things are much different! Did you know that now close to two million books are self-published each year? And that Amazon is responsible for 60% of all book sales? It’s a crowded, exciting world out there, and there has never been a better time to add your unique voice to the mix.

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Making Peace with Building Your Platform

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Making Peace with Building Your Platform

Being rejected based on your platform (or lack thereof) does not mean that the literary agent or editor thinks your career path isn’t impressive, you’re not greatly respected in your field, that you’ve accomplished nothing, or that you do not have anything substantive to say. They don’t even think you are lacking in talent, that you should keep your day job, or that there is no hope for you and your book in the wide world of publishing.

Your Questions: Self-Publishing

Your Questions: Self-Publishing

If you’ve haven’t yet struck gold yet in your quest to be published, here is my advice: Keep with it! Make sure you are constantly evaluating what is working and not working – can you tweak your query letter? Are people requesting your proposal or manuscript and then rejecting after that (perhaps your first few chapters are lacking something)?

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I've Signed With a Literary Agent - Now What?

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I've Signed With a Literary Agent - Now What?

You have signed with a literary agent. You are one HUGE step closer to achieving your publishing dream. But what happens after everything is signed and made official Hopefully your book proposal is in good shape. If it needs some work, your agent will likely tell you what additional information or rewrites they need before moving forward. Once you both agree the proposal and/or manuscript is in the best condition possible, your agent will then start pitching you to editors at various publishing houses. These are editors who have been carefully selected because they acquire books that are similar to yours.

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Starting Your Writing Career: Become a Published Author in Six Steps

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Starting Your Writing Career: Become a Published Author in Six Steps

My friend Jannah recently contacted me regarding starting a writing career – and I’m glad she did! The advice I gave her is strictly related to writing books, though many of the general concepts could apply to magazine writing, etc.

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