Yes! Keeping in mind that we’re discussing
e-publishers, I believe that some authors should do so.
e-publishers, I believe that some authors should do so.
I say this because of various reasons:
1. Authors
who are poor and cannot afford the costs of self-publishing will have those basic
expenses covered.
who are poor and cannot afford the costs of self-publishing will have those basic
expenses covered.
2. Having
the experience of working with professional editors is a huge plus for future
work.
the experience of working with professional editors is a huge plus for future
work.
3. Gathering
contacts within the publisher’s group who can answer questions and give one
needed support.
contacts within the publisher’s group who can answer questions and give one
needed support.
4. A
loop where you can start a social media campaign and learn how others like yourself
are promoting their work.
loop where you can start a social media campaign and learn how others like yourself
are promoting their work.
5. Those
who are young, have a busy family life and have little time to spend on their
writing career can get away with only releasing a few books a year.
who are young, have a busy family life and have little time to spend on their
writing career can get away with only releasing a few books a year.
Now having said this, I have to warn you.
“BE CAREFUL!!!”
“DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!”
Do not go along with just any e-publishing company because
they offer you a contract. Check their websites and if they’re unprofessional,
take a pass. If their covers aren’t great, take a hike. If most of their books
are ranking low on the various book sites such as Barnes & Noble and
Amazon, run the other way.
they offer you a contract. Check their websites and if they’re unprofessional,
take a pass. If their covers aren’t great, take a hike. If most of their books
are ranking low on the various book sites such as Barnes & Noble and
Amazon, run the other way.
One great site for checking all the available
publishers is called Preditors and Editors. http://pred-ed.com/peba.htm They’ve compiled
fantastic lists for you to use and not only for publishers.
publishers is called Preditors and Editors. http://pred-ed.com/peba.htm They’ve compiled
fantastic lists for you to use and not only for publishers.
Another site you can check is called “Show me the
money” http://brendahiatt.com/show-me-the-money/
Brenda Hiatt has done some homework for you and shows clearly which of the
companies pay well and those that don’t. (I suggest submitting to those that
do!) (DUH! )
money” http://brendahiatt.com/show-me-the-money/
Brenda Hiatt has done some homework for you and shows clearly which of the
companies pay well and those that don’t. (I suggest submitting to those that
do!) (DUH! )
From my own experience, this is what I believe
happens. Many start-up e-publishers need a stable of authors and lots of
product and are willing to take on most anyone just to get started. Chances are
they’ll have a low budget and it’s possible their editors won’t be the best which
means the editing could be shoddy. If they’re editors are good, how many will
they have hired? Therefore turn-around time on getting your books released
might be much longer than you expect.
happens. Many start-up e-publishers need a stable of authors and lots of
product and are willing to take on most anyone just to get started. Chances are
they’ll have a low budget and it’s possible their editors won’t be the best which
means the editing could be shoddy. If they’re editors are good, how many will
they have hired? Therefore turn-around time on getting your books released
might be much longer than you expect.
Have they hired a Publicist to not only promote
their publishing company, which is important for the readers to find them, but also
your books? And how much coverage can each author expect when their book is first
released? Does the company have a presence in the Social Media – on Facebook and Twitter? How many followers do they have in both places? How many tweets?
their publishing company, which is important for the readers to find them, but also
your books? And how much coverage can each author expect when their book is first
released? Does the company have a presence in the Social Media – on Facebook and Twitter? How many followers do they have in both places? How many tweets?
Don’t get me wrong – there are many e-pubs who work hard
to help their authors succeed. Some not only provide great covers and good
editing but also encouragement, chat rooms, workshops, writing forums and publicity
to help their writers gain success.
to help their authors succeed. Some not only provide great covers and good
editing but also encouragement, chat rooms, workshops, writing forums and publicity
to help their writers gain success.
And all YOU
have to do to ensure good royalty checks is – write one hell of a great book.
have to do to ensure good royalty checks is – write one hell of a great book.
Next blog – What about the rotten, unprofessional e-pubs
that take advantage??
that take advantage??
