Tips for the Budding Author

by Heather Resnick, Author of Women Reworked Empowering Women in Employment Transition

Become an *author …ity
Write a book.
But, it's not as easy
As it looks.

*Thanks to Charlene Day of www.healthysoul-utions.com for telling me about adding 'ity' to author"

Getting Started as an Author

Welcome to the wonderful world of words. In this article, there will be seven main realistic practical tips (some with subsections), information and resources to help you move your words from the personal realm to the public. Self-Publishing is the focus, but other options are provided for your consideration.

You have a great idea for a story and you are itching to write. You are finally going to liberate yourself and write the book of your dreams. Everyone tells you "You should write a book" about your life. As Dan Poynter (the guru of self-publishing) states, "I do not want people to die with a book still inside of them."

To avoid pitfalls, time and money research the industry before you set out to determine your printing and marketing requirements.

Information will be provided to consider on your odyssey of becoming an author. For a more complete description of all these tips, please see www.womenreworked.com

1. A book shepherd is a consultant who can help you throughout the entire process of writing, publishing and marketing your book. It is a fee well worth paying for their expertise. See resources.

   "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
   Charles Dickens in 'MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT' (1844)

2. Passion and Knowledge are important
   However, here is the rub. Some people write books about subjects that they are enthusiastic about but which have limited interest in the marketplace or the prospective audience does not want to pursue the information. If you want the book to be a marketable item, you may have to consider what the consumer wants. It is possible that even with a limited subject matter that you can find a niche in the market. Also, with strong, innovative marketing strategies, you may be able to appeal to a wider audience.

3. Finding External Dollars or partners (if you are self-publishing) could save you thousands of dollars before you write the book
   • Obtaining a Grant to help pay for or offset printing costs - See Writer's Market and Canadian Writers Guide in the resources for various programs (also check writing grants, fellowships etc. by doing an internet search, asking librarians and writing organizations)
   • Corporate, business, or charitable partners - Consider including in your book names, products, services, companies, or organizations. They may be willing to underwrite your printing costs if their name is included on the cover etc. Also, look for indirect links.

   True Story
   Hollee Kew, Author of Barefoot in the Grass, a small business book was using Microsoft Office to write her book. Donna Messer, President of ConnectUsCommunications Canada (a Networking Business) suggested Hollee ask Microsoft if they would partner with her. Two other major corporations also got on board. - It was a win/win situation - advertising for them in a marketable book and she got the printing costs paid, plus the added benefit of their marketing.

4. Pre-Writing
   • Naming Your Book - The title is critical to the promotion of your book. If you can think of one before you write then it may prompt what you want to write. You may have to write before a title comes to you. Ask for suggestions from others. It should be catchy (fiction/non-fiction) yet if it is a non-fiction convey the contents. Consider who your target market is.
   • Safeguard your idea - write an outline of your story and date it.
     • Put it in an envelope addressed to you and seal it
     • Send it registered mail
     • Do not open it
     • Put it a safe place
     • In the event of a plagiarism suit, you can produce your envelope, which only the judge will open, which may prove the idea was yours as well as the date you conceived the idea. *This should never replace formal copyright registration.
   • "The law is an ass" sometimes, but it is necessary. If you require permission for quotes or stories, this needs to happen in advance of your writing. Permissions must be in writing. For other people's stories, all parties (author and publisher) must sign a written, binding contract or release form stating that they release their story to you to be used as you see fit. A lawyer does not need to draw up the agreement (it can be costly), but you must be sure that all parties' rights are protected.

5. Tools of the Trade
   • Computers/printers - Not to scare anybody who is technologically challenged (as are too many of us baby-boomers), but a computer is an absolute necessity for any 'will-be authors.' This can be an enormous expense, so it is not necessary to have the latest and greatest, but it is important that your computer and printer have the capabilities to enable you to do your writing, printing, researching and communicating with others in a timely fashion.
     In addition, you have to consider the ergonomics (how efficiently and safely you can work) on the equipment you are using. Keyboards need to be the proper height and shape; screens need to be non-glaring and far enough away to protect yourself from radiation. Your health can be seriously impeded if you do not have safe equipment. Research the options carefully.
   • Business telephone - That is not being used by anyone else in your family. This is necessary for a professional image and will ensure that you will get messages, especially if you have children.
   • E-mail address - You will require this because most publishers or those connected with the industry use this technology to communicate with the author. With just a push of a button, you can transmit your story for approval, editing etc.
   • Web site - Forum for you to tell the world about you, your qualifications for writing the book, testimonials, events, articles, communicate with your clients and of course the ever-popular ability to sell your book on line either as a hard copy or as an e-book (electronic book that people can download for a fee).
   • Tangible book resources - For technophobes out there or people who realize that opening a book for a reference is much quicker than: -
     • minimizing the work on the computer
     • opening up another icon
     • typing in your topic
     • waiting for it to appear
     • scrolling down to find a specific web site
     • opening it up
     • clicking on various icons and then finally,
     • finding the information you want and have to either print it out anyway or write it down!
     Dictionary and Thesaurus (a good thesaurus is Microsoft ®Encarta College Thesaurus (remember Canadian and American spellings differ sometimes)
     Encyclopedias - Use with caution. Sometimes facts are just reiterated that have never been checked with an original source
     The Associated Press Stylebook
     The Canadian Press Stylebook
     Yellow, white and red page telephone, business and e-mail directories
     The Canadian Writers Guide
     Writer's Market
     Quotes, Grammar, Rhyming Dictionaries and Proverbs
     

6. How to Publish
   There are several options depending on whether you decide to self-publish or not.
   • Trade/Traditional - You send in your manuscript
     Pro
     1. No personal financial outlay for printing
     2. They help with marketing
     Con
     1. Rejection is high
     2. Process is lengthy
     3. Royalties are low
   • Subsidy/Vanity - Not considered with high regard in the industry. It is Important to research thoroughly.
     Pro
     1. Higher royalty
     2. They help with marketing? Check them out to see what they provide.
     Con
     1. You pay for publishing
     2. They control sale and distribution
     3. Marketing not always effective
   • Print on Demand (POD) - You print out only as many copies as you require at one time.
     Pro
     1. No major cash outlay
     2. Storage is not a problem
     Con
     1. Cost of each book higher
     2. Quality is not always good
   • Internet Publishing - E-Book (electronic) can be downloaded
     Pro
     1. Minimum cost
     2. No shipping fees
     3. No storage fees
     4. High Profit
     Con
     1. Not yet a proven way to get books to a mass market
   • Self Publsihing Pro - You pay for the cost of printing, marketing
     Pro
     1. Control the contents etc. of book
     2. High profits
     Con
     1. Major cash outlay
     2. Marketing, sales and distribution your responsibility

7. This Little Author Went to Market
   Putting provoking words to paper between two covers is an empowering endeavor. The creation only represents 20% of the process. The other 80% is the marketing and publicity necessary to generate continual interest and revenue. The latter presents the greatest challenge to the budding author!

   The trick is to spend as little money and energy as possible.

   Marketing is a skill, one that not all of us are born with. Oh, to be a Dan Brown or J.K. Rowling! But, fret not new book creators, there is much help out there to make you a top-notch salesperson. For no one will, as no one could sell the book that you have cre-ated, better than you can.

   Remember the "Pet Rock"!!! (Ingenious marketing - see Pet Rocks )

   Media Attention: Good media can put you in the spotlight quickly. Being on Oprah often does the trick, but highly unlikely. So, you have to attract other media's attention.

   1. Network for connections to the industry
   2. Send out eye catching media kits in a nice folder containing a copy of your cover, a snappy one page media release, your picture and short bio, chapter titles and testimonials, business card and book mark it you have one, to main media and your local media. Directed to a specific reporter or editor is best. Do not include your book unless they request it.

1. Corporate, Business, or Charitable Connections - Examine the content of your book. Is any company/product or organization mentioned positively? It could be a possible way to partner up with those who have more money or clout than you to get your book out there.

   True Story
   Michael Charles Messineo, Author, Rigby's Roads realized his book contained a theme of motorcycles. He created a business card with wind chill factors on one side so riders would know what kind of clothing to wear in that weather and on the other side was a brief, powerful introduction to his book. He sent the cards to 150 Harley-Davidson Dealers across the country. They passed out the cards to the riders, who kept the cards because of the valuable information. In turn, the riders bought the appropriate clothing from the Harley-Davidson dealer and they would be alerted to the book. Business cards are an inexpensive tool - http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com/issue30.index.htm

2. Web Connections - Try to get as many companies, organizations or individuals who have high profile websites to agree to link to your website and vise versa. Sometimes you may have to pay a nominal fee to interlink. You have to weigh out whether it will help you attract potential clients. See http://www.customfitonline.com/index.html (*Some of this is commercial so be careful what you click on to! Click on Solutions and the Web Link Building for some good tips)
3. Speaking Engagements - Many bonuses! You are now an expert because you have written the book! This fact is vital to your success. Discover all the possible topics that you would feel comfortable talking about and that would provide value to those listening. A book is held in high esteem in our society. Take the accolades and run with it. If you are shy speaking in public you should consider joining Toastmasters.
4. Get in touch with your alumni associations - They usually do newsletters either on-line or in print and are sent to thousands of alumni.

Finally, always have some books in your car (protected of course in plastic) or in the bag, you are carrying. The opportunity may always arise to sell your books. Of course, your uncle's funeral or your sister's wedding may not be appropriate venues!

See more of Heather's Resources.

Congratulations on being an author! It is a journey of a lifetime!

Your now an *author …ity
You've Written a book.
Now go out there
And reel in your hook.

Re-publishing this article requires the written permission of Heather Resnick

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