A blog about the topics of writing, Writing ways

When do you start promoting your manuscript?

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This topic landed in my email box. When should you start promoting your book?

The writers I know in this area start once their manuscript is complete. To me, that is getting on this way too late. I mean, once your book is complete and you tell your friends and family, then what?

I started on my social platform brand once I had my first draft of my Jasper, Amazon parrot series. By the time the drafts, edits, cover, and more, I had grown a following of people engaged in me as I was in them. I had people to shout out to saying, “Finally, my book is done.”

If you wait until the end of your book, you are shouting into the wind in hopes someone will take an interest.

Your book deserves more than that. You deserve better than that.

And one more thing. When submitting my first book to publishers, they always asked where I was. It meant what is your social platform?

Fortunately, I was able to point to where I am at. If I had not done the work, I am unsure if the publishers would have picked up the book.

It does take time. You do a quick search online, which will show you the various platforms. Not all will work for you. Take one platform at a time. Put the work in. If it does not feel right, dump it and try another.

Some of these platforms allow you to schedule the posts, which helps since this frees up time.

Start slow as you build your social platform, your brand, and a gateway for you to shout to a larger audience once your book is complete and not only full but complete and published.

A blog about writing, Writing ways

How is your grammar? :For the record, I use an editor

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How good is your grammar as it pertains to writing? I have done better over the years due to my editor, Nancy. Without Nancy, my books and short stories would not shine as brightly as they do now.

There are programs out there that are free and with a price that helps with commas, spelling, spacing, and more.

But I don’t rely just on the programs.

Some writers I have seen use their writing groups to pick out the errors as they critique them. It does help with your piece having more eyes on it. A few writers have stated that is all they need to get their books edited.

I have heard a few writers stating that is all their books required to run their WIP through a critique group.

It is helpful, but it is not what one should rely on.

Grammar can derail a book, and it can prevent a publisher from taking your book on to tossing it in the trash can.

There are so many books on Amazon that I have read that make me read only a bit. I have reviewed books that are so heavily bad in grammar that I struggle with writing a review. There have been times I have contacted the author, stating why I won’t proceed with a review. I like to help fellow authors and write a review about books. However, an unedited manuscript can derail authors.

I have learned and have done better with my editing, but I will always use an editor at the end of the day. The last thing I want is to see an unedited book online to be purchased that has my name on it.

A blog about the topics of writing, Topics on writing

Do you support other authors?

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Do you support other authors? Whether it is someone you know or not, do they get that from you?

I have seen both ends of the stick with people only concerned with their book journeys to those who support other authors by buying their books, giving them a shout-out on social media, or attending any event they might be hosting.

I have always had the mindset of supporting authors, especially those who have helped me or been with me on my writing journey. Those are the ones I will lend my support to.

It doesn’t have to be off a mountain with a bullhorn telling people how great your book and you are. That would be nice. But to have people in your corner along the way are those you want to support back.

My thought is simple. I didn’t get to where I am alone. I had people off of Twitter help me with my query letters. I have had people in line to do classes about writing at the library. I even have an editor who doesn’t charge me for her work.

I have no problem shouting out people’s names, referring others, and giving reviews here and there. It is my way of paying back those before me who helped me.

Writing is mostly a solitary profession. You can meet with your writing group in real life or online. But even then, you are doing the majority of your creation alone. Finding a fellow author who I can feed off is a golden nugget.

So, I don’t get why writers go alone on their own. Hey, if it works for you, good. It is something I have not tried and prefer to not do so.

The Musings of A New Englander