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What If I Self-Published on My Way to Getting Focused?
The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ I self-published two ebooks on Amazon and Smashwords. They aren’t/weren’t meant for a wide audience, instead geared towards Christian parents/grandparents who love a heroin addict. Additionally, my online writing audience is growing. Should mention of those sites be included? Different materials from my ebooks. One is a work-in-progress Christian …
5 Social-Media Mistakes Writers Make
There are many ways to shoot yourself in the foot as a writer. For example, using clichés, such as “shoot yourself in the foot.” The advent of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) has definitely added to the list. Here are what I consider five of the most common mistakes authors and would-be authors make on social media: Mistake #1: Don’t “do” social media I’m …
Free Webinar on Building Your Author Platform
Why write a book no one will read? I have a theory that a book has no impact unless the book is read. But a book won’t be read until it is purchased. Even if it was given to you, someone bought it. Thus the power of your words begin at the point of sale. In today’s world, that means the book has to be discovered. No matter how good your book is, if someone doesn’t know about it, …
Fun Fridays – October 16, 2020
Considering the wild and whacky year we’ve had I thought today’s video was perfect. We all just need to do a little more yodeling! And when your teacher is named Sourdough Slim, you can’t go wrong. I wish I had a camera to watch you try to sing along. Too much fun. [Show off your new-found skill on your next Zoom meeting! See you end up getting muted.] And before we go to the …
What Should Be in the Back Matter of a Book?
The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ Can you provide tips for what should go in the front or back matter pages that authors produce, such as:*acknowledgments*author notes*source citations in nonfiction Acknowledgments are optional but always appreciated by those acknowledged. Agents are often left off the acknowledgments list, believe it or not. Simply think about your team: critique …
Nagging Grammar Questions
Some time ago I asked my clients what publishing terms or concepts they wished someone would define or explain for them. I covered some of those in my September 16 post on this site. Some, however, asked for help with some nagging grammar questions. (We all—even the most accomplished—have such questions.) So I was going to answer them, but then I thought, Why not ask my friend, editor, and grammar …
How to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney
You would like to think that as soon as you are done with your proposal and send it off to an agent that he or she is sitting there by the inbox ready to read it as soon as it comes in. If only. Before email became the submission method, agents and acquisitions editors threw unsolicited proposals into a stack in the corner of the office called the slush pile. Then, once a month or so, they brewed …
How to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney
You would like to think that as soon as you are done with your proposal and send it off to an agent that he or she is sitting there by the inbox ready to read it as soon as it comes in. If only. Before email became the submission method, agents and acquisitions editors threw […]
You can listen to this episode How to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney on Christian Publishing Show.
What if You Get a Book Deal on Your Own and Then Want an Agent?
One of our readers asked this via the green “Ask us a question” button.
What happens if you get a book contract before you have an agent? What if, by some miracle, an editor sees your work and wants to publish it? (1) would having a publisher interested in my work make an agent much more likely to represent me, and (2) would it be appropriate to try to find an agent at that point (when a …