Tag Archives: Publishing

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, Writing tips and ideas

Vanity Press: Is it right for you?

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A local writer I know told me a bit ago that she went through a vanity press publisher. I made a face of disgust before I could stop myself. I asked if it worked. The reply was yes, and that is all that matters.

The definition of a vanity press is, in short: A vanity press, also known as a subsidy press, is a company that offers publishing services for a fee.

When I started looking for publishers, I had a few contact me. I declined, having researched various publishers before,

Even if I had the money, I could not honestly give it to a company for them to publish my book. I could do what they were offering on my own. I figured it would simply take longer. Also, I did not have the funds. If I had the money, I feel I would have declined, but I will never know. It is not easy getting a book published, let alone writing a book.

When it was my time, I researched the various ways to get my manuscript published. The research is free. A writer may find out what works better for them. It could be a vanity press. Check it out first before you fork over your hard earn money,

What they can charge you can include editing, reading fee, and book covers. If you are not inclined to do any of this or prefer not to do it, this could be the way to go. It does suit some authors who are happy with a vanity press.

All I am saying is to check it out first. It took you a lot of time to start and complete your book. You worked hard to get it finished. You want it in the best hands possible, wherever that might be.

Since it is a long road, vanity presses are around and will continue to bill authors large sums of money. Don’t bet the farm on this, especially if you can ill afford to.