SELF-PUBLISHING

One of the goals of the blog is to share information that would be useful to new and emerging writers. I attended a workshop at a Writer’s Conference that focused on different publishing options. One of the areas of focus was on self-publishing. While in the past, this option was viewed from a completely negative perspective, it seems that some of that stigma has faded.

There are different self-publishing options. The most traditional of these is the good, old-fashioned print run. Typically, this means the author will pay a company a sum of money for a set number of books that are printed. A second option revolves around a print-on-demand book, where, actual books can be printed as they are ordered. Technology has also given us the option of an e-book, which looks like the most cost effective of these options.

While more in-depth analyses of these different options will be left for future posts, it is worth mentioning a few points. While major goal of publishing one’s work is to have it reach readers, the explosion of options for publsihing makes accomplishing this more difficult. There is no question, whatever route one takes to publishing their work, a major part of the process will be playing an active part in the marketing/promotional aspects of publishing. In self-publishing, this falls almost totally on the author. Those that are more successful at self-publishing tend to have an entrepreneurial spirit, so they can deal with the various challenges associated with this option. It also is helpful if one is familiar with technology as so much can be accomplished using it these days. Successful self-published authors also tend to enjoy connecting with people, both through social media as well as offline.

One of the major complaints regarding self-publishing is the stigma that the quality of self-published books is not the same as those published via more traditional means. Such stigma exists because unfortunately, in many cases, there is some truth to it. However, any author who feels they want to try this route as a way to get their work out to a readership, insuring it is as high quality as possible is essential.

One question that came up is what defines a “successful” self-publishing endeavor. The answer to that question clearly depends on what the author’s ultimate goal is when pursuing it. If it is simply to provide a vehicle to gain greater exposure for ones’ work absent what seem to be the insurmountable  obstacles of the traditional publishing world, then so be it! From a more practical perspective, one number I have heard is that if a self-published book sells 5000 copies an editor might be more interested in it.

From my perspective, keeping all options open remains the best approach of all! 

THERE IS HOPE!

In any field, it is important to become educated about how it works. New authors have a host of resources to do so as there are a vast amount of websites, magazines, and online programs dedciated to helping with this process. When I first decided to get back into writing I started by taking an online course at Gotham Writing school. One of the themes that emerges with clarity from all these sources is how difficult it is to get published in today's ultra competitive market.

Gotham was an excellent experience and I met a number of great people whom formed a facebook group through which we still have contact (I have not been as consistent in this as I want, I must admit). It had been a great place to share hopes, frustrations, and information with such support being invaluable for emerging authors. One of the main themes has been the pursuit of being published and/or an agent.

Recently, one of the writers whom is part of this group reported she secured an agent for a book she has completed. It is important to mention that she did so by submitting unsolicited manuscripts. It occurred to me that it is important to keep in mind that while at times such success seems an infinite distance off, it is important to realize successes do happen. As we all struggle to keep ourselves moving forward, often with vast amounts of time between concrete successes, highlighting such successes hopefully will reinrfoce the fact that there is hope.

GUEST CORNER

I am pleased to announce the first official posting in the "Guest Corner" section of the website. One of the goals of the website is to offer emerging authors resources to help them with their pursuit of getting published. This article was written by "Writer's Relief" and talks about the length of a piece in relation to publishing. it gives a glimpse of some of the thought processes of an editor who is reading a story and food for thought in terms of the importance of considering length when thinking of publication. I hope it is helpful!

A GOOD REJECTION

Any new author who sticks with it must come to terms with rejection. Without question, sending your work out there in the slim chance someone will deem it "worthy" for publication is one of the biggest psychological challenges we face.

I had mentioned in a previous post how some have suggested that it takes 100 rejections before a story can be published. In that post, I talked about putting the numbers on your side by readying yourself for rejection. My recent experiences have brought to mind something else I remember reading about rejection. Two recent rejections I received included a few encouraging words from the editors of the publication. It struck me how amazing it is for a few words from a complete stranger can invigorate one.

While all this has been occurring, I am readying my next story to enter the numbers game. A few weeks ago, I was where I thought I needed to be in terms of sending it out. My mentor, on the other hand, felt it needed a bit more tweaking before I did. Although my initial response was frustration, I have learned to let her feedback sink in before I make a decision and has been the case most times, she was right.

Receiving the rejections with the comments made me realize that the editors reading my submission to notice when one takes the time to get their submissions in the best possible form. I am becoming better, as most new writers must, at managing my impulse to send out a story and move on to the next, before making sure it is as close to done as I can bring it. As I move through this process, it is becoming increasingly clear that revision, revision, revision is key.

Thanks to all those editors out there whom do take the time to make comments on a manuscript they are rejecting. It turns one of the more difficult tasks a writer faces, having their work rejected for publication, into a better experience. Back in high school, I never thought I would get to the point where I could experience a good rejection. The fact that I have now makes me believe that I am still moving forward....

A WRITER’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

Why not jump on the New Year’s Resolution bandwagon? One of the most difficult things for most new writers is finding ways to keep writing in the forefront when one is being pulled in so many different directions. To be successful, however, it is important to keep the process moving.

The number one resolution for all writers must be, of course, WRITE! We must find ways to keep ourselves moving our work forward. There are two aspects of writing I intend to emphasize this year. The first is focusing attention to the craft itself. Setting concrete, reachable goals is important. I have been focusing on revisions recently and intend to continue to do so in 2012. In addition, I will research some books on the writing craft itself and read at least two of them. Educating oneself in the craft is extremely important. The second aspect of writing is the one that is the most fun, the one that draws us to it, producing our work. More specifically, I am going to try and have five stories completed by the end of the summer. In a previous blog, I mentioned having a book of them completed, but I am becoming more accepting of the fact, it is not going to happen. Resetting deadlines is something I struggle with but it is a necessity.

Another major goal for 2012 is to attend a few local writers’ workshops. I have already completed preliminary searches on Long Island and will attend a few in the hopes of getting more involved. It is important to become a part of the writers’ community and this will be my first foray into it.

In a previous blog I mentioned the fact that new writers need to approach their pursuit with some recognition of the business side. A small budget is essential if one is seriously considering pursuing the profession of writing. Within my resolutions for 2012 are goals requiring some capital outlay. One major one is attending a writer’s conference. One impetus for this blog was attending the Writer’s Digest conference last year. Since I don’t have the funds to attend that one and another, I will spend time researching one that would make sense and attend it. Another goal on the business side is continual update and development of this site. I can’t emphasize enough what a great experience developing it has been and I can already see why so many people emphasize having a platform as integral part of the beginning writer’s learning experiences.

Here are some of my main New Year’s Resolutions for 2012. If you are a new writer and trying to figure out what yours are, consider a few of the following:

·         Spend time learning the craft

·         Make sure you move your work forward

·         Get involved in the local writing community

·         Consider attending a Writer’s Conference

One of the benefits of setting goals is to keep you focused on what you need to do. In future posts, I’ll report back on how I am doing with reaching mine. Feel free to do the same!

REJECTION: Half Full or Half empty?

           I received two more rejection slips the same day this week. One of the greatest challenges for new writers is the sure string of rejections certain to appear in the mailbox or inbox of your email.  Without a doubt, managing this aspect of an emerging writer’s career is the most daunting.

The immediate visceral response to these tends to be it as a confirmation of one’s greatest fear; that is, having embarked on what amounts to an impossible journey. It results in once again analyzing the wisdom or sanity of trying to write for publication. This includes a deep consideration regarding whether or not all the time, effort, and energy spent producing our work would be better off spent on other things.

The story I received the rejections for, You Look Like My Daughter, ultimately is about how we choose to interpret things. A key to surviving as a new writer is in understanding the need to interpret rejection in the context of one’s chosen goals.

Writer’s Relief, the research group I used to help determine where to send out Daughter, and whom I will blog about as I am sending out my next, says it takes at least 100 rejections before one is successfully published.  Using this as a guide, I can also think of it that I am 1/10 of the way there. The rejections I received this month were for a story sent out in July. That is why having multiple works out is so important. The steady feedback that your work is out there and you are increasing your chances by these numbers is imperative. Because one of the thrills of being a writer is the potential to have your work read by a wider audience I am realizing that while I am making progress in the numbers game, I need to get more work out there.

To me, at least this early in my excursion into the world of writing fiction, a rejection means I actually have met the goal of getting some work out there. It also is a good checkpoint for me to update my plan. Since it happens to be close to the New Year, it is a perfect opportunity to incorporate my interpretation into my writing resolutions.

Is the glass half full or half empty? Half full definitely works better to keep one going. For now, I think I’ll stick with this one!

Coming soon: A writer’s New Year’s resolutions.



REVISIONS

How do you know when a story is really done?

For me, this is the hardest skill to learn. One thing I now know is the process of revision is far more extensive than I initially thought.

As part of my plan to return to writing, I want to do some market testing. There is no question that the ultimate goal for most writers is publication. I decided to complete three stories, send them out, and see if I get any feedback that suggests my writing is at a publishable level. As I worked with my mentor, it became apparent that my belief in a few revisions was way off. As I work to complete the second and third stories, I am in the midst of revising theme each twenty times.

A key part of the revision process is finding people whom can give you feedback that is valuable. I have learned to give the feedback time to enter my mind. An interesting phenomenon has been my initial response of frustration when I send off what I think is my final draft and it comes back with numerous suggestions. After the obligatory response of wanting to quit and deciding I just am not going to succeed at this, I force myself to sit down at my desk and work on them.

Each time, the next draft is better.

As a general rule, I find my characters to be interesting and am drawn to them. I am starting to realize as I get close to the final version I am actually getting sick of them! In sending off the latest revision of one of the stories I am currently working on, I realize I am close.

Everything I have read says that it is best to have your work in the best form possible before sending it out for publication. Be forewarned, extensive revisions are a major part of that process. Find someone who can give you valuable feedback and make sure you take the time to give your writing the support it needs in the revision process. In the end, it will be worth it!