Paperback writer

[Lanolin]

I understand that, but how many other authors are trying to find a way to get off social assistance?? Or are living on less than $1000 a month while supporting their sick dad??

most have other jobs or things they do. The author part is writing about whatever topic they are pursuing. There are creative grants available. It depends on what kind of writing you are doing there are as many different authors as there are stories and topics under the sun.

 

[Lanolin]

Its the publishers responsibilty to look after their authors, not many publishing houses offer good terms and contracts to their authors. Thats why big name celebs can get published easily as they already have a platform. The publishers dont have to do as much marketing.

 

[Lanolin]

Look into writers residencies although most will go to those already published. I think they fund your accomdation while you are writing.
Though a lot of auhtors just write at night time when they can have some peace and quiet and do their regular jobs during the day!

 

[Lanolin]

Good Publishers should provide you with an editor and proofreader and cover designer and indexer at bare minimum, and they will handle all the sales and distribution. They will then offer a contract and you get an advance, then royalties from sales.

 

[Lanolin]

Most authors will experience many rejections before publishing their first book, esp if its a novel

 

[Lanolin]

Its like trying to sell your song...you need to demo for a label in the music industry, unless you go Indie and give away your music online for free.

 

[tourist]

Its the publishers responsibilty to look after their authors, not many publishing houses offer good terms and contracts to their authors. Thats why big name celebs can get published easily as they already have a platform. The publishers dont have to do as much marketing.

That is why if you really want to make some serious money you have to have an agent to promote your brand. Of course, agents are very particular choosing their clientele. Vanity publishing is usually a losing effort as you have to pay the publisher and not the other way around. Might be useful though in getting your foot in the door.

 

[tourist]

Most authors will experience many rejections before publishing their first book, esp if its a novel

I wrote many short stories in my younger years. All I got for my effort was a bunch of rejection slips from various magazines. You are correct in your estimation of breaking in as a novelist.

 

[tourist]

Good Publishers should provide you with an editor and proofreader and cover designer and indexer at bare minimum, and they will handle all the sales and distribution. They will then offer a contract and you get an advance, then royalties from sales.

That is the preferred way to go for sure. Have the publisher pay you and not the other way around. They will provide the services that you have stated along with the financial benefits.

 

[tourist]

Look into writers residencies although most will go to those already published. I think they fund your accomdation while you are writing.
Though a lot of auhtors just write at night time when they can have some peace and quiet and do their regular jobs during the day!

For sure, if you are trying to break in as a writer it is best not to quit your day job until you get established.

 

[I_am_Canadian]

most have other jobs or things they do. The author part is writing about whatever topic they are pursuing. There are creative grants available. It depends on what kind of writing you are doing there are as many different authors as there are stories and topics under the sun.

I checked I dont think i can get a grant unless an organization or agency applys on my behalf.

 

[JohnDB]

thats right not everyone is money minded or worshipping mammon.

Some writers are just born writing and wanting to express themselves. Its publishers and agents that are the ones actually making all the money off it.

It's solid business principles...
A workmen deserves his wages.

It's not about being money hungry or worshipping money...it's about how you go about properly selling the work you have done that is wanted and desired by the public. That's why I recommend "giving away" some of the work to create "buzz". Normal people will pay for the complete work so they can read the entire book.

Publishers will indeed make all the money if the writer doesn't get an agent. Agents work for the writer and advise the writer about things like book writing tours, media interviews and etc.

Obviously some agents are better than others...and the writer needs to do a careful job researching their prospective agents before actually hiring one. Agents are writer employees.

Not all employees are good...

Just saying.

 

[I_am_Canadian]

It's solid business principles...
A workmen deserves his wages.

It's not about being money hungry or worshipping money...it's about how you go about properly selling the work you have done that is wanted and desired by the public. That's why I recommend "giving away" some of the work to create "buzz". Normal people will pay for the complete work so they can read the entire book.

Publishers will indeed make all the money if the writer doesn't get an agent. Agents work for the writer and advise the writer about things like book writing tours, media interviews and etc.

Obviously some agents are better than others...and the writer needs to do a careful job researching their prospective agents before actually hiring one. Agents are writer employees.

Not all employees are good...

Just saying.

So true, very well written

 

[Lanolin]

it depends on who you know..with literary agents. You could join PEN or a writers association to establish contacts.

Shop around. Dont do it all yourself, it takes a team to publish a book. And another to sell it.

Book tours come after the launch of a book. But you have got to have the goods. Its no use writing something, then not bother promoting it or keep on writing and expect to just make a living off ONE book.
You have got to have it in you to write an entire series.

Maybe even a book every 3 months.

 

[Lanolin]

Booksellers do the job of selling a book. But I think a lot of booksellers are a bit lazy in that regard. They just go to the big 5 publishers and have the new books on loan an dont do much to promote them as the volumes they have to buy are too big.

The Big 5 are - Penguin/Random House, Macmillan, HarperCollins, Simon Schuster, Hachette

Or it might be the big 4 now some have merged.

Note..a book publisher is a lot different from a media conglomerate. You dont want to be controlled by hacks like Rupert Murdoch or any news outlet that place restrictions on what you can write. However some media do excerpts or book reviews and you need them to get your work before the reading public. Send ARC (advance review copies) to experienced reviewers . Dont ask your friends to review your book as they'll just be polite and say its great

 

[I_am_Canadian]

it depends on who you know..with literary agents. You could join PEN or a writers association to establish contacts.

Shop around. Dont do it all yourself, it takes a team to publish a book. And another to sell it.

Book tours come after the launch of a book. But you have got to have the goods. Its no use writing something, then not bother promoting it or keep on writing and expect to just make a living off ONE book.
You have got to have it in you to write an entire series.

Maybe even a book every 3 months.

Instarted a second book, but put it on the back burner because i cant get the first one published.

On the other hand the first one is big enough it could be divided and turned into multiple books.

 

[JohnDB]

Instarted a second book, but put it on the back burner because i cant get the first one published.

On the other hand the first one is big enough it could be divided and turned into multiple books.

That's exactly what I would do.

Look at places like Wattpad and etc...give out a first few chapters divided up into three chapters each. (The Dan Brown approach)
Then leave clues on your profile and in personal communications about how to find and purchase your entire book.

It's a great way to see how the public views your writing and writing style.

 

[I_am_Canadian]

That's exactly what I would do.

Look at places like Wattpad and etc...give out a first few chapters divided up into three chapters each. (The Dan Brown approach)
Then leave clues on your profile and in personal communications about how to find and purchase your entire book.

It's a great way to see how the public views your writing and writing style.

According to my stats on here I have, 1,178 posts, 782 positive reactions, 14 neutral reactions and 10 negative reactions. And only 83 trophy points.

If it ever makes it to the printer and to Market, this will be the first place I place the info to buy it.

 

[Lanolin]

Instarted a second book, but put it on the back burner because i cant get the first one published.

On the other hand the first one is big enough it could be divided and turned into multiple books.

apparently the first novels of many writers are never anyones best efforts, its just getting it out of your system before your work is polished.

You may need to do a lot of rewriting or reworking until it fits an acceptable format. This is true for genre fiction.

For memoir you need to be careful with real names etc. Some people may not want to be remembered by you in a memoir especially if its not flattering or will affect them adversely in some way. This is why many people write fiction

 

[Lanolin]

Write a good blurb or trailer for your book if you want people to be interested in reading it. Nobody will read an autobiogrpahy of a random person who we know nearly nothing about.

Most books will have them on the back or inside flap of the dustjacket.