Author: My Journey to Me-The Discovery

I can stop holding my breath now.  I got my manuscript back from the editors with all the red marks and suggestions.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought.   It came with a cover letter from the editor first telling me everything I did right and then everything that could be improved.  It was good to get this type of feedback, especially for me, a first-time author, because improving is always the name of the game.

My manuscript came to me with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes >Final Showing Markup feature activated so I could see the editor’s changes.  The editor gave me proofreading instructions, i.e. how to make my corrections, comments and additions to the manuscript so that I returned a manuscript showing both the editor’s initial changes in red and my input in blue.  I was surprised to learn I didn’t have to accept the edits from the editor.  I could reject any changes (insert NO CHANGE) or question any edits [insert COMMENT].  This was such a relief for me since as a writer, I know what message I wanted to convey and didn’t want that message changed.  Although a publisher’s editor is a professional, that person could Continue reading “Book Publishing Process – What They Said (3rd in series)” →

So your manuscript is at the publisher being transformed into your book.  There’s nothing for you to do right? Wrong!

There’s plenty.  I was very surprised to find out I needed to write the promotional copy for my book.  The promotional copy is the stuff that appears on the back cover.  I was surprised because I thought the editors or marketers at the publishers would do it.  I reasoned they had more experience than me at penning “razzle-dazzle, you gotta have this” words that would make people drive through fire to buy a book.  Thank goodness I had 10 days to submit something.  After stepping away for a couple of days, I wrote the copy.  I also realized an author knows the need the book is meeting, as well as its target audience so an author can write or, at the least, contribute to the promotional copy.  And yes, I also sent a new photograph of me, professionally taken because it will be following me for a long time, for the back cover.

Tate Publishing also let me know I should begin publicizing my book now to stir up interest and drive sales before the book is available.  Here are some of the suggestions:

1) Use social media. Set up a Facebook fanpage for your book. Open a LinkedIn account and join author groups.  Open a Twitter account. Use as much social media (Instagram. Google+, Pinterest, etc) as you can.  Not only is it free advertising but you’ll also connect with new people.

2) Book speaking engagements that relate to the topic of your book. Those attending will now see you as an expert and will want your book.

3) Get a website. Put a chapter on the website.  Get a the word out about your book.

4) Send emails to your family, friends and other people in your email address book letting them know about your book.

If you think of other things you can do that don’t cost you a lot of money, do them!  The bottom line is you wrote a book!  Be proud of your accomplishment and let the world know!