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This page is for those who might consider publishing their writing.
I’m willing to tackle almost anything. It can’t be that tough, can it? Well, publishing something you can be proud of requires some learning. I’m early on the path but I’ve discovered a few things.
Reason for writing
You should consider your writing motives. My motives include: enjoyment of the creative exercise, a hope to entertain while widening the reader’s perspective, and a hope to improve the world. Only the first is assured of realization!
Self-help books
There are many books explaining how to write. You can glean ideas from them all. I found useful insights in the following:
This book was foundational to my writing. It covers the writer’s craft in a gentle, caring manner.
You wouldn’t believe how many flaws can be isolated, and fixed, by working through the steps in this book. At times, I wondered whether my manuscript would emerge as some sterile piece created by a robot but it didn’t; it just got better!
Stephen King writes in genres which have little appeal to me. However, his thoughts on writing helped me achieve my goal.
I discovered Ayn Rand when I was in my early twenties. I admire her philosophy but I believe a mellower version tunes better with most libertarians. Rand presented a series of talks in her home. A couple of her admirers assembled her presentations into a book on how to write and read. I recommend it to you.
Editing
I believe you should write your story with modest attention to grammar but get your story recorded. Then edit it yourself to improve the story and the flow. Then edit it for grammar, clarity, tense, and originality (lack of clichés). Once you’ve got the story refined to your preference; get feedback from your circle. They may not be harsh enough because they don’t want to hurt your feelings and they aren’t experienced editors. Then engage an arm’s length, competent editor.
I discovered my editor by searching the internet and sensing rapport in the presentation of the editor’s web page. My search yielded Kristen House. Her business is called Kristen Corrects. My experience with Kristen’s editing encourages me to recommend her to aspiring writers. She does what she says she’ll do, on time. The attention of a competent, engaged editor will improve your work.
Publishing
Many of the self-help books on writing dwell on the need for, and frustrations with, getting a publisher. Are you in a position to write a story certain to attract the world to your door? If not, chasing a publisher may be a useless step. Wouldn’t it be better to get your book in front of your audience and let your audience know how to find it?
Once I decided on self-publishing; I considered the packages offered by iUniverse and Friesen Press. Then I discovered Berrett-Koehler, a publisher in Oakland, California. I was drawn by Berrett-Koehler’s tagline, “Connecting people and ideas to create a world that works for all”. However, Berrett-Koehler only publishes non-fiction books; my Tunnel Vision is a novel. Berrett-Koehler allows its name to stand for self-published books which meet its philosophy. Tunnel Vision probably would’ve met those guidelines but I decided to take more control over the process because the self-publishing packages include ISBN numbers, cover design, modest editing, and modest merchandising. I wanted to be directly involved in each of these elements and not be funneled through the bureaucracy these self-publishing companies assemble.
I encountered Smashwords. This is a free service which formats your manuscript for uploading to every eBook retailer. Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords, provides free supporting books to help you meet the requirements for eBook publishing. Three of his books are: Smashwords Style Guide How to format your eBook by Mark Coker; Smashwords Secrets to eBook Publishing Success How to reach more readers by Mark Coker and Smashwords Book Marketing Guide How to market your book by Mark Coker. I chose Smashwords as my primary eBook uploader.
While eBooks will continue to grow in importance, I expect each of us will have readers who want a printed book. My solution is to use Create Space, an affiliate of Amazon. Create Space allows free access to the printed book market by offering your book to be printed on demand and shipped anywhere.
Merchandising
We strive to write engaging stories. If we do it well, the world will notice, right? Maybe not, the world has quite a few folks in it. Not all of them are tuned in to our magnetic field. Most of us don’t want to be Donald Trump or any other celebrity; but it would feel good if thousands of readers discovered and enjoyed our stories. I’ve chosen to launch and support a web-site, called www.VillageSource.net, in which I regularly add a blog on some issue which coordinates with my interests and my books. I trust web surfers will discover some element of my web-site and be enthused enough to find and read my books.
Our careers, community, and family create a range of contacts who may be interested in our writing. Maybe not the specific stories but the idea that a published writer is in their midst. Any neutral or positive mention might lead to our contacts’ contacts searching out our writing.
I don’t like pushy sales approaches. I believe a lower key approach will integrate your want to inform possible readers with their resistance to overt marketing.
You’re special; follow your dream.