Stuff to Know Before You Get Published
Many people have the dream of becoming an author and having their work published. While some may be fortunate enough to reach this goal, they should not expect instant success nor assume that they will sell a million copies, get chosen by a popular book club, and make a movie out of their story. For most, such a triumph is unlikely.
Most of us who get published just go with the flow. We rarely ask questions about the specifics, such as our sales numbers or how it all works. We take everything that comes with being an author—the highs and lows, the unknowns, and even the silly questions like "Have you quit your day job yet?"
I have been in the publishing industry for decades, experiencing both failure and success. I’ve worked as a writer, editor, co-writer, ghostwriter, and more.
These days, I help other authors publish their work as a book mentor; I’ve helped pastors, politicians, mental health professionals, and bestsellers alike. I am proudly also an author who has earned recognition for my own literary achievements.
My relentless pursuit of the key to success in this industry has only resulted in hearing the same clichéd responses:
· It's all down to luck and when you arrive.
· It's a marathon, not a sprint.
· Come up with a brilliant book and your readers will follow.
· You can't control sales, so appreciate the journey.
The list goes on like that.
What is obvious from their answers is that most of these folks really know little about how the publishing industry works these days.
Nowadays, being an author implies more than just writing a great story. In fact, crafting a clever narrative often comes later on the priority list, which mostly covers:
· Advertising and marketing
· Spreading the word on Social Media
· Constructing a functional Author platform
When I first became a writer, the publishing world was very different. My vision was to sit at my laptop all day and craft the written word in peace with no distractions.
Once a writer was done, we handed our material over to people who would help bring our books into the world so that we could move on to the next project.
Self-publishing changed all of that. Now, people like me, who are introspective and creative, have the expectation to not only promote their work but also to socialize and interact with people both online and off.
As an introvert, this is something that drains me completely. This is the cost of being an artist nowadays.
Becoming an author comes with plenty of considerations: covering startup costs, managing money, and making a living.
It may seem like all paths lead through social media, but that is not always true. Before you commit to anything, it’s important to understand the process first.
· If you have a book idea, what is the first step?
· What do you need to find a literary agent or publisher?
· If a book deal comes along, how do you read or negotiate its contract?
· Last, if you choose self-publishing, what protocol should you follow in order to get your book out there?
That is why I am creating a series of guides for writers. They are longer, so I am not going to just post them here as a regular article.
But I will not charge for them. I will just have them on my website, free for anyone to download.
I am writing about all the things I wish someone had explained to me years ago.
Recently Released:
"From Slogans to Sagas: A Copywriter's Guide to Crafting Epic Novels"
“A Writer's Guide to a Successful Book Launch”
In the coming weeks, look for:
"The Writer's Atlas-A Guide to Building Immersive Fictional Worlds"
“Make it Snappy-A Guide to Awesome Dialogue"
"Setting the Scene"
"Writer's Street Smarts"
This is a journey we are all taking. The best way to travel is in a group. Let’s all arrive together.
Eric Myers
Send a sample of your work for a free editing and critique. Submit One Thousand words to:
submissions@warpspeedediting.com
Responses are usually within twenty-four hours.
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