Gathering Place Connections.com

The publishing field has changed so much over the last decade. Why has this happened? Self-publishing has changed the way big publishers looks at new manuscripts. When I started my first novel in November of 2000, the word was out that Bowker was getting approx 35,000 new books a year. This last year 2009, Bowker announced the number to be 764,448 new books. Remember, the number represents new books and not he ones that are in print from the other years.

Self-publishing has changed the way big publishers look at new manuscripts. It’s easier for a publisher to pick up books moving for self-publishers. Why risk the money to learn if reader like it. Everyday, I receive requests from authors wanting me to publish there manuscript. You get tried of turning people away. It would be impossible to publish every person who comes to you.

This is why we have a website dedicated to publishing?

On the internet, you will find a huge debate on self-publishing compared to going with a publisher.  Some authors want or need to be in control of their career. Other authors really don’t care and they just want to write and leave the details up to someone else. Either way, the author needs to market their novel if they want their book to sell. Unless, you are famous. The publisher just places your book in their catalog and hope it moves. If you are not famous, then it’s up to you to make yourself noticed.

What is in your background?

Most of us are not famous before we start to write a book. So what do you have in background that you could use to make yourself famous. Let me give you an example:

I have a friend who is a retired CIA agent. Yes, he really was an agent and he didn’t always sit behind a desk. He wrote a fictional novel about an agent trapped in Russia and he’s hiding from the mob. Are you interested in his book? Of course, you are. He self-published and he has sold over a million copies.

My friend received an movie offer and a deal from a large publisher. He turned down the offer from the publisher. You still have to market, so why give away your control and money? He markets himself  by giving speeches about his background. People buy his fictional novel at the end of his appearances besides stores.

This is what publishers are looking for when you approach them with your manuscript. They want to know how they can they use your background to sell books. The other way, you can sell your book if you are a publisher or a self-publisher. A review from someone famous or respected will cause books to off the shelf.

One of the most common way of getting our book out is readers creating a buzz. People start to talk about your book, causing people to want to read it. There are different ways of doing this. Remember, we are talking about fictional novels.

A non-fiction book is easier to write and promote. A lot of people will use the self-publishing, if they write a non-fiction book. The reason why, they are marketing or writing to a select group of people. The background usually goes with the non-fiction book.

These days, you have choices. If you are wondering where you fit in, it will depend on what you want to accomplish. As an author who has turned to publishing, I have learned a lot. When you make a mistake in publishing, it can become expensive and your efforts are fruitless. Many times, self-publishing is the best way for you to go. It’s easy to get your book into print. Creating the buzz, you could find it stretch you. Sometime, it helps to talk with someone who has been through it numerous times.

If you have a manuscript, you want to discuss what would be best for you.  Contact me so we can talk! Or if you have a self-published book and you want to discuss ways of creating a buzz. Let’s talk!