Happy Friday all!
Today I have a very special treat for you... But FIRST I'd like to thank all of you for your kind words and well wishes for my new writing services... You guys are the best!!! I appreciate you so much!
Now for the topic of today's post. I have a VERY special blogger visiting me today that knows the pulse of how to publish your Indy books. She has TWO AMAZING tips for us!
Once you’ve polished your manuscript, the next step is to hire a professional editor. Self-editing is never a wise choice because you simply can’t do it efficiently. Your critique partners will discover many mistakes, but they’re probably not qualified to bring your manuscript to industry standards. Only a professional book editor (one who edits your genre) can turn it into a solid, marketable product.
Today I have a very special treat for you... But FIRST I'd like to thank all of you for your kind words and well wishes for my new writing services... You guys are the best!!! I appreciate you so much!
Now for the topic of today's post. I have a VERY special blogger visiting me today that knows the pulse of how to publish your Indy books. She has TWO AMAZING tips for us!
Please WELCOME L. Diane Wolfe!
Michael asked if I could provide tips for indie authors. There are SO many things I could cover, but I narrowed it down to two items - editing and target audience.
Once you’ve polished your manuscript, the next step is to hire a professional editor. Self-editing is never a wise choice because you simply can’t do it efficiently. Your critique partners will discover many mistakes, but they’re probably not qualified to bring your manuscript to industry standards. Only a professional book editor (one who edits your genre) can turn it into a solid, marketable product.
The cost of a professional editor varies. It depends on the level of editing required and experience of the editor. Prices range from $5 to $50 per 1,000 words. Search the Internet for an editor who suits your particular needs.
Why do you need a professional editor?
It can mean the difference between success and the death of your writing career. An editor is the last checkpoint before you throw your work and reputation out for the world to see. If it’s of poor quality, you may never get a second chance to rebuild your image. Self-publishing gets its bad rap from unedited and poor quality books. Don’t contribute to the problem—rise above it. Give readers a reason to trust the quality of your work so they will return for more.
Editing is so important! This is your dream—don’t sell it short by skipping this part of the process.
Marketing is all about placing you and your book in front of your target audience. Knowing who these people are is important during the writing phase, but it’s absolutely crucial for promotions.
Create your reader profile by answering the following questions:
· What shops and stores do they frequent besides book-stores?
· Where do they go for entertainment? Do they attend festivals? Sporting events? Museums?
· Are they involved in organizations or civic groups?
· What news broadcasts or magazines do they follow?
· What websites or blogs do they visit?
· Are they involved in community and social sites? Which ones?
· Are they involved in website forums or groups?
· Where do they shop online?
· Do they listen to podcasts?
This exercise may seem difficult at first. Some of your answers may be pure speculation. Place yourself in your readers’ shoes. If your target audience enjoys your type of book, what else would they enjoy? What else attracts their attention? What hobbies or interests might they share?
The key to your success is how well you can reach this audience, especially online. Your grassroots efforts will make the difference in book sales.
May your publishing path be successful!
Thank you SO MUCH L. Diane for such informative tips! I know we can all benefit from them!
For more valuable tips and information from L. Diane, you MUST pick up her book, HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW!
L. Diane Wolfe
Professional Speaker & Author
Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and the author of numerous books. Her latest title, “How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now,” covers her publishing seminars in depth and provides an overview of the entire process from idea to market. “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting”, ties her goal-setting and leadership seminars together into one complete, enthusiastic package. Her YA series, The Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories. Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites & blogs, and assists writers through her author services.
How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now!
By L. Diane Wolfe
$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2
$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-publish-and-promote-your-book-now-l-diane-wolfe/1113516811
Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Publish-Promote-Your-Book-ebook/dp/B00B8X5WEM/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359715649&sr=1-8
35 comments:
So much to consider when it comes to your target audience. I don't think I've answered half of those questions.
A professional edit is so vital, as is understanding your target audience, great information.
Diane rocks and that's a book I seriously need!
Thanks so much for hosting me, Michael.
Yolanda, I hope the book helps you.
Hi Michael, and DL,
What an intro and the details about DL. DL, I am just back from your page, though the white letters in black background gives lillte pain to read. LOL
Hi Michael thanks for airing DL and her thought creations here.
Keep Going
Best Regards
Philip
Hi Michael and Diane as a great guest .. I couldn't agree more re getting a good editor ... then
- knowing your audience is always a tricky one isn't it ... but so worth while thinking about - in a lot of ways the same goes for blogging .. think of your audience ..
Cheers and all the best to all aspiring authors - Hilary
Great post, Diane! And you're so right--editing is more important than any other production-related element, I think. If we turn readers off with poor editing, they just aren't going to keep reading our books.
Hi Michael and Diane, I agree with the professional edit tip. Its important to ensure that the book is in the best shape ever before its shopped to publishers.
Excellent advice! There's nothing worse than buying a book that hasn't been edited, so disappointing.
Excellent advice. Once it's out there, you can't take it back. :)
L. Diane's post are always so informative! Glad to see you share your space with her today, Michael! :)
Even Samuel Clemens had editors. Sadly, they edited out some very good sections of his work. So choosing the right-minded editor is extremely important. The best chefs cook for themselves and draw like-minded people. The danger to targeting audiences is that we will succeed.
Yes, we will succeed in garnering the audience we have targeted -- and siphoned some of the life from our work, for our hearts were not in it.
Diane, great, thought-provoking post. Thanks, Michael, for having her here! :-)
Hilary, that's very true about considering your blog's audience.
Elizabeth, one bad book can kill us.
Melissa, that is very true.
Roland, you're right that we need to find just the right editor.
The right editor is extremely important. I worked with two published authors recently in a mentoring arrangement (me as mentee).
The first person was unsuitable and criticized everything about the story, except, she liked the title.
I discussed this deflating experience with the organizer and was matched with a better partner who not only approved of the elements of the story, she liked the construction, dialogue, etc. She gave me feedback I could use.
Like night and day, the difference between those two happened partly because the first author had edits to do on her own book and didn't want to mentor, even though she had volunteered to do so. Both were women writers. Choose your editor carefully, as Roland says.
Thanks, Diane, for sharing your knowledge! Thanks Michael for featuring L. Diane.
Editing is ultra important. I learn from the editing, too. Then my editor has less work the next time around. :D Plus, I learn where I'm weak and can work on that.
Apparently FB and websites are the best ways to reach readers. Was just reading an article on that yesterday.
Wonderful advice! Thank you L.Diane-I love that you shared the truth. It is a learning process and it never ends~
Thank you Michael for sharing L.Diane with us!
Happy Friday to you both~
Professional editing is a must!
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
DG, you have to feel comfortable with the person for it to work. Sounds like you found the right person.
Thank you, all!
Great tips! I've attempted to read books that even the author didn't bother looking at. I agree, an editor is crucial! Thanks for the advice!
Great interview. Thanks for sharing with us. I will check the book out- sounds like great advice. :)
Great advice. Looking for a new editor right now.
diane is wisdom on a stick! a spunky stick. she is amazing!
Tammy - LOL!! Thank you.
Thanks for the suggestions Diane :)
I think sometimes authors get hung up on having as many readers as possible, instead of catering to their "target" audience. You get better book reviews and more word-of-mouth type recommendations by readers who consistently read that genre.
If I were to self publish, I would definitely hire a professional editor to comb through the manuscript. Its a good idea even if you're going with a small publisher, as they don't always edit a novel before publishing it. I look for the degree of editing services when I'm querying publishers directly.
.......dhole
Hi Michael, thanks for your stops at my place, always appreciated.
L. Diane - way to narrow down all that you know into a concise post. I keep recommending your book...
Tina @ Life is Good
Great advice! Good luck with your book Diane, I definatly need to check it out!
Diane's so great--and so are her words!!
Donna, you are so right on both counts.
Tina, thanks so much.
Siv and randi lee, thank you.
Thanks, Spunk and Michael, for the helpful and palatable info. Sorry it took me so long to stop by.
Cheers, and have a great week.
xoRobyn
I often struggle with trying to figure out who my target audience is. Particularly as I write in many different genres.
Hi Michael! Hi L Diane!
So much of what L Diane says at the beginning of her post echoes what I had to say in my previous post on self-pubbed books. Love L Diane's tips. I'm not sure if I've bought her book yet (I buy SO MANY I lose track) but I'll have to make sure. Marketing is another difficulty, isn't it?
Write on, Michael.
L.Diane is so knowledgeable when it comes to the nitty gritty of publishing/promotions.
That book is a gem.
Writer In Transit
Very comprehensive! I have to keep this post in my bookmarks.
Diane definitely knows her stuff. What a fabulous post. Thanks for this, Michael!
Michael, you put so much sunshine in my life today, I wanted to give it back!
Post a Comment