It seems to me, Rosy, that unless you are a "celebrity" for reading the weather, being in a jungle, a 'House', singing, newsreading - anything except being "only an author", you just have to plod on. We will never get interviewed on the TV (celebrities celebrating celebrities - it's a closed shop - see @jeremyvine.) No point in fighting against that, I tell myself, it's a fact of life these days. And we write because we have to, can't stop, enjoy writing. Self published or trad published, if we want to sell, we have to promote our work as best we can - and hope that readers find us ... somewhere. So sending congratulations on having finished and having published a book. I'm sure you'll find a way to republish - and good luck.
I’m so sorry you were subjected to the scam, Rosy but rest assured, you are just one of many. In all the years I’ve been writing, there’s always been stories of the nasties who try to suck newbie authors in.
who have lists of registered and reliable players within publishing. ALLI works tirelessly to keep indie authors safe.
I can also only reiterate that whether you’re trad published or indie published, you’re expected to sell yourself. And if you don’t earn the required sales in a contracted time, you will be paying back every penny of any advance. It’s important to keep a sense of reality over the idea of being a writer. It’s hard work whether one is indie or trad - you don’t make a lot of money either way and you have to complete manuscripts inhumanly fast. It’s just the way it is.
As to self-publishing taking ages to get the books out there … it's fast and easy.
Once your ms. has been edited and formatted (excellent folk out there who do it) and you have a cover, it can be uploaded and available literally overnight as an e-book (which is where the biggest market is) and a little longer as a print book. An audiobook takes ages longer, is very expensive and will take you your lifetime to recoup.
One more thing you need to remember is that an agent or publisher often prefers to see your runs on the board. They aren’t going to sign anyone they don’t think will be a runaway success - it’s too costly to try and push an author with no profile in this cut-throat book world.
I hope I haven’t depressed you, I’m sure you knew all that anyway, and good luck.
With respect, a company that says they will market you is not to be trusted. Make sure you check ALLi for the company’s credentials. I would caution against you employing someone to market. Every successfully branded writer I know, indie or mainstream, has marketed themselves. It’s what agents and publishers look for - an ability to get out there and make a name for yourself via social media and your Substack or similar.
I’m sorry if I’m the bearer of bad news but after 15 years, I’ve had the experience of hearing about many disasters.
Just be proud of what you’ve done, upload your book to the market place and then start marketing it yourself by things like Written Media, Fussy Librarian, Bookbub etc. There are many online services where YOU have control and it's a necessary thing to maintain.
I’m so sorry to hear about that scam, Rosy. You’re right, the world of fiction publishing (in particular) is definitely about swimming in shark infested waters. But the rewards are also real and I truly hope this all comes good for you. I’m glad that I’ve never encountered anything worse than a non-delivered manuscript and a disappearing author from all my years publishing non-fiction! Keep the faith and I’m looking forward to hearing that your first book is available and your second is soon to appear ❤️
When I took an online writing course, put on by the publishing company Hay House, Reid Tracy, the CEO of the company said, that if you self publish, you will have to do all the marketing yourself. If you get a traditional book deal, you will still have to do the marketing yourself. I suppose, more technically, you would only have to do most of the marketing. Probably because the marketing departments are shrunk. It seems either way, marketing is not just a part of the job, it is almost all of the job of getting a book before readers.
It seems to me, Rosy, that unless you are a "celebrity" for reading the weather, being in a jungle, a 'House', singing, newsreading - anything except being "only an author", you just have to plod on. We will never get interviewed on the TV (celebrities celebrating celebrities - it's a closed shop - see @jeremyvine.) No point in fighting against that, I tell myself, it's a fact of life these days. And we write because we have to, can't stop, enjoy writing. Self published or trad published, if we want to sell, we have to promote our work as best we can - and hope that readers find us ... somewhere. So sending congratulations on having finished and having published a book. I'm sure you'll find a way to republish - and good luck.
Thanks, Judith. I will continue the fight!
And succeed one day, I'm sure.
😊
I’m so sorry you were subjected to the scam, Rosy but rest assured, you are just one of many. In all the years I’ve been writing, there’s always been stories of the nasties who try to suck newbie authors in.
I think the best any budding writer can do is join the Alliance of Independent Authors https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/
who have lists of registered and reliable players within publishing. ALLI works tirelessly to keep indie authors safe.
I can also only reiterate that whether you’re trad published or indie published, you’re expected to sell yourself. And if you don’t earn the required sales in a contracted time, you will be paying back every penny of any advance. It’s important to keep a sense of reality over the idea of being a writer. It’s hard work whether one is indie or trad - you don’t make a lot of money either way and you have to complete manuscripts inhumanly fast. It’s just the way it is.
As to self-publishing taking ages to get the books out there … it's fast and easy.
Once your ms. has been edited and formatted (excellent folk out there who do it) and you have a cover, it can be uploaded and available literally overnight as an e-book (which is where the biggest market is) and a little longer as a print book. An audiobook takes ages longer, is very expensive and will take you your lifetime to recoup.
One more thing you need to remember is that an agent or publisher often prefers to see your runs on the board. They aren’t going to sign anyone they don’t think will be a runaway success - it’s too costly to try and push an author with no profile in this cut-throat book world.
I hope I haven’t depressed you, I’m sure you knew all that anyway, and good luck.
Thanks, Prue. I’m still waiting to see proofs for my cover but will upload it asap. I’m also looking into getting somebody to do my marketing for me 😊
With respect, a company that says they will market you is not to be trusted. Make sure you check ALLi for the company’s credentials. I would caution against you employing someone to market. Every successfully branded writer I know, indie or mainstream, has marketed themselves. It’s what agents and publishers look for - an ability to get out there and make a name for yourself via social media and your Substack or similar.
I’m sorry if I’m the bearer of bad news but after 15 years, I’ve had the experience of hearing about many disasters.
Just be proud of what you’ve done, upload your book to the market place and then start marketing it yourself by things like Written Media, Fussy Librarian, Bookbub etc. There are many online services where YOU have control and it's a necessary thing to maintain.
Thank you, Prue.
I’m so sorry to hear about that scam, Rosy. You’re right, the world of fiction publishing (in particular) is definitely about swimming in shark infested waters. But the rewards are also real and I truly hope this all comes good for you. I’m glad that I’ve never encountered anything worse than a non-delivered manuscript and a disappearing author from all my years publishing non-fiction! Keep the faith and I’m looking forward to hearing that your first book is available and your second is soon to appear ❤️
Thank you for those kind words, Gaynor.
When I took an online writing course, put on by the publishing company Hay House, Reid Tracy, the CEO of the company said, that if you self publish, you will have to do all the marketing yourself. If you get a traditional book deal, you will still have to do the marketing yourself. I suppose, more technically, you would only have to do most of the marketing. Probably because the marketing departments are shrunk. It seems either way, marketing is not just a part of the job, it is almost all of the job of getting a book before readers.
Yes, I’m sure you’re right.
I know you will stick.with it and find the way! 😊
Thank you so much, Kara. Your kindness and continued support is very much appreciated.
Thank you Rosy very interesting post and one to watch out for. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻thinking of you re the literary agent and positive news 😘😘
Thanks, Jo. Yes, I’m keeping everything crossed. 🤞😊