Wannabe-writer's FAQs - Help from experts?

[Nancy Fulda]

<quote>Because at the moment, print is about the only thing that e-book self-publishers can't get into.</quote>

Self-publishers can get into print fairly easily. Amazon's CreateSpace system is relatively simple to use and includes a reasonably-priced distribution package. The problem is that most brick-and-mortar bookstores won't stock self-published books.

[davetrow]

Everyone on this thread should be reading Kristine Kathryn Rusch on publishing. Lots of wisdom there about both ebooks and traditional publishing.

You might also check out a recent post by award-winning Book View Cafe writer Linda Nagata on why she didn't use traditional publishing for her latest book.

As for the difficulty of getting ebooks into brick and mortar stores, Dean Wesley Smith has come up with an interesting solution: book cards.

[swhibs123]

Originally Posted by WBW

1) How to choose the right publisher: if I choose to go to a publisher, how do I choose? The obvious method is to look at who publishes books on the same topic as what I'm writing and approach them. Any other suggestion? Should I start with the big names and move down until someone accepts my book (if ever)?

If you're not self publishing, and you want a major press, the best way is to get an agent. They'll know specific editors who might be looking for books like yours. If you're going it alone, go to the bookstore and see who pubilshes the books in your genre. Doing this helps you identify which publishers invest in your genre, as well as which presses get their books in stores. Then go to those pubilshers websites and see if they're accepting submissions.

Originally Posted by WBW

2) How to increase the probability that my book is accepted: is there some sort of "code of good manners" when approaching a publisher? I have never even met anyone working in book publishing. Are you supposed to send them an email with a pdf? Mail them a printout? Schedule a meeting in person and give it to them? Also, people say that, when you look for a job, going through the traditional channel (CV submission on the website, etc...) is not as effective as going through one's personal network. Does the same apply to book publishing? Should I avoid sending emails to unknown publishers and focus my efforts on reaching someone in book publishing through friends of friends?

Follow submission guidelines to the letter. If they ask for query plus three chapters, don't send four. If they want hard copy submission, don't try to email it.

Originally Posted by WBW

3) How to negotiate with a publisher: I know that first time writers can expect a VERY little share of the price (2%-5%). Is this information updated? Did the presence of Google Books and Amazon make this number go up a little bit? In addition, because of my position as witness of some events (see below, point 5), I believe I can get a little more. Does it make sense?

I don;t think it's 2-5% I think it's 8-12%. At least it is in the contracts I've seen. All contracts are negotiable. Talk to other writers. Follow agent blogs. the information is out there.

Originally Posted by WBW

4) The most difficult question. Is it worth going to a publisher? I mean, I'm sure their distribution network, credibility, etc... is a lot higher than mine, but still, the share of the pie they take is huge. Getting 5% vs. 50% means that, before the publisher's services are worth what they cost, my book must sell 10 times as much as it would do if I just published it on Amazon. Or, even more "independent" way: I set up my own website, where you can either download my story as an ebook or order a shipment of my p-book, which I have produced by a printing company. I buy a bunch of Google Adwords and advertise my website and there I go.

This is something you're going to have to decide for yourself. While Amazon has about 80% of the eBook market, they only have 20% of the TOTAL BOOK market (that includes eBooks). So that means, about 70% of the books that are sold, are still sold in stores. Don't get me wrong, authors have become rich off of that 20% market share.

Originally Posted by WBW

5) Asking for feedback & protecting your book: I'll start with an introduction. I believe the value of my book is not in my "beautiful" writing (I studied a bit of literature, but I'm far from a professional writer), but in the events that are described in it. In the recent past I've been involved (together with a lot of other people) in events that ended up in the press (especially the sector-specific press) and I believe that the story from my perspective would be of some interest. I'm planning to publish it anonymously for privacy reasons. So here's the question: I'd love to have some people read it and give me their comments before publishing it. However, what prevents them from writing the story with different words and publishing it anonymously themselves? Is there a way to protect my work?

You could write a book tomorrow about a boy wizard who goes to a wizard school and is pursued by a dark lord. In fact, that idea is not new, JKR wasn't the first, she wasn't the last. Ideas can not be copyrighted. But the instant you start to write, your work is protected. No one else can write a story based in your world (assuming your world is ficticious). IF you're talking about a non-fiction project, as I suspect you are, then that's different. How many books are there about the life-and-times of Abraham Lincoln? A hundred? How many about Rome, or the Spartians, or the Greeks ... countless. What about serial killers, bank robers, financial crimes ... lots of books have been written about those events. Being first, doesn't mean you get to be the only one. also, if you're talking about something in pop-culture, you might not even be the only one wtih a complete mss. ready for submission.

My advice, worry less about someone stealing your idea. Most of the time, when you hear about someone "stealing" another writers work/idea, it's in the magazine/newspaper industry. Serious writers know that plagerisim kills careers. Non writers have no idea the amount of work that goes into writing a book. If you're really worried, only show your work to people you trust. Or people who don't write in the genre you're writing in. Or to people who don't write.

[apbschmitz]

Originally Posted by WBW

In the recent past I've been involved (together with a lot of other people) in events that ended up in the press (especially the sector-specific press) and I believe that the story from my perspective would be of some interest.

Just an observation about your initial question that, if I'm understanding this correctly, is, How do I most effectively publish my story? You have a non-fiction title related to events that have already generated some media interest. Whatever this area is, there is some kind of information apparatus specific to the topic area. And you have first-hand information. It seems like you're in a great position to write your story, offer excerpts to the media within the subject area, and use the stories to generate awareness and interest in your self-published title.

I agree with Mr. Ploppy above: the road to publication by a major house is long, frustrating and discouraging. Not impossible, but certainly no walk down a rose-petal-strewn path. You seem to have a means to publicize your work, and proven interest in the subject matter. So why not eliminate all the middle men?

I wouldn't worry so much about whether someone was going to steal my work. The infinitely larger problem is whether anyone is going to care about it one way or another. Lucky for you that people already seem interested in what you may have to sell.