First Steps Publishing

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Jeremy Soldevilla

Even JK Rowling Needs a Good Publicist

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If you’re not JK Rowling, there’s work to be done

If your book received “withering reviews” that included an assessment like, “so willfully banal, so depressingly clichéd” you’d never sell any copies, right?

Unfortunately, writers with gold-plated names like JK Rowling can overcome such a New York Times review (it was of one of her post-Harry Potter novels, “The Casual Vacancy”). According to this article it still sold more than 1.3 million copies and was the No. 1 best-selling hardcover fiction book of 2012.

So, unless your name is JR Rowling and your readers aren’t looking too closely at the cover, there’s a lot of work to be done to get book sales rolling.

The behind-the-scenes work to create a platform prior to publishing your book is almost as much work as the writing itself.

LULU.com offers a great, step-by-step guide to publicity and marketing, including working with related blogs two months before publication and planning a “cover reveal.” Interestingly, it says little about sending out advance copies for reviews.

And if you’re querying agents, your online presence is important, according to the Write Life 2013 survey. So think about showcasing your expertise in your subject matter or providing evidence of an audience (yes, prior to publishing). It’s all about your platform, which is well-described in this blog post by Rashelle Gardner.

Later, Rowling published “The Cuckoo’s Calling” under a male pen name (Robert Galbraith) and the book sold only modestly until she was unveiled as the true author. It had done about $50,000 in sales, prompting the NY Times writer to comment:

‘What’s clear is that without the aura of celebrity, “The Cuckoos’ Calling” would have been just another work of debut crime fiction. Its author might have gotten a modest TV deal, and maybe another book contract, while working another job to make ends meet.’ 

Published with permission. Alison O’Leary is a book publicist who can be reached on LinkedIn.

Guest post by book publicist, Alison O’Leary. Originally Published Jan 9, 2014 on ChristopherMatthewsPub.com

Raison d’ Etre by Jeremy Soldevilla

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Their Creek by Jeremy Soldevilla
Their Creek by Jeremy Soldevilla

by Jeremy Soldevilla | CMP

I’ve always loved books and I’ve always loved writing. That’s why I became an English Literature major at Boston University and why I spent the next 40+ years in the publishing industry, why I started writing novels and why I started one of the first hybrid publishing operations.

I’ve worked in senior positions for some of the largest publishers in the U.S. and England, publishing professional references, college texts, academic journals, scientific books and trade titles. In the process, I’ve come across writers good, bad and ugly. It’s the hopefuls, the wannabes, that I’ve been attracted to. Once anyone discovers you know something about publishing, the flood of questions begins. I won’t give examples here because we’ve all been inundated with them.The queries always start with “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” or “I’ve got this book I’ve been working on, and . . . ,” or “My friend/sister/neighbor/ has this book . . .”  And then the questions begin, seeking the secret to becoming that coveted honor: A Published Author.

I’ve broken the hearts of the bad and uglies by rejecting their work. But I’ve always tried to let them down gently, giving some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel with suggestions for finding editorial help, books on writing and sometimes the stiff slap of reality that they need.

It’s the good, not great, but good writers that I am drawn to. Those people who have the basic abilities to write well, tell a compelling story, a witty story or an inspirational story that can move a reader. The writer who, though far from perfect (is there such a creature?), has some writing that deserves to be shared, to be read, to be enjoyed. It’s these writers that I want to be the champion for. Give them a chance in an industry that is too often too quick to dismiss or ignore their nascent talent. The ones who need some nurturing, a helpful hand, an encouraging word. And who, with that help, begin to blossom into not just a scribbler, but a bona fide author.

In writing my own books, I’ve experienced the soul-crushing rejection of my work by agents and publishers, as well as the insulting lack of any response at all to the scores of queries I’ve submitted. And I get it. I know personally the editor’s need to give cursory glances to submissions, eager to find the quickest reason to reject a manuscript and move on to the next one in the towering sysyphusianstack of writings on their desks or in their email.

But somewhere in that pile there is a seed that with some sunlight and watering can evolve into a beautiful plant if just given some time and healthy soil in which to grow. Okay, that analogy is a little flowery, but you get my point. And that’s where I like to step in.

Having basic writing skills is not enough to become published. One needs to learn the craft of writing, and that only comes with years of practice, learning and studying. We as publishers can facilitate that education, and it is our responsibility as the gatekeepers of literature to encourage and show the way to those who truly have the goods. The goods not necessarily to produce the next best-seller, but the goods to hone their craft to produce work that moves, educates and entertains others in a unique and/or meaningful way.

The big New York houses have to meet untenable sales goals, and for that reason, they must reject all but a minute fraction of the work sent to them. And that’s as it should be, I suppose. But in the process, many worthy manuscripts are overlooked, and the humble writer who has put his or her heart and soul into their story has their dreams and talent quashed. I, for one, am honored to ferret those hopefuls out and give them the chance they deserve.

I have a quote from Richard Bach posted above my desk that reads: “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”

Jeremy Soldevilla

Jeremy Soldevilla was the founder of Christopher Matthews Publishing. (1948-2018)

10 Tips for Selling Books at Book Fairs and Conventions

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The following article by Terry Cordingley contains great information for anyone planning on exhibiting their books.

The 10 Commandments of Selling Books at Book Fairs, Conventions, and Festivals

1. Register for the event as early as possible.

• Contact the event organizer.
• Find out the cost of the booth or registration.
• Register for the event and inform your marketing representative.

2.  Spread the word about your appearance at the event.

  • Online newspapers free event calendar listings
  • Free online listing at Craig’s List http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html
  • E-mail invitations to your address book
  • Church bulletin
  • Split the cost of the booth with another author, if festival organizers allow booth-sharing.
  • Decorate the booth with a banner and tabletop posters announcing that the author is available to sign copies of books.  Make the booth as attractive as possible!

3. Establish a family member or friend to help you during the event.

4. Be prepared with conversation starters.

  • Have a one-minute pitch ready to go that tells people who you are and what your book is about.  Practice it so that it seems natural and not forced.
    • “How did you hear about the event?”
    • “Are you an avid reader?”
    • “Do you live in the area?”

5. Have a guest-book on your table for people to sign their name and e-mail address.

  • By doing this at every event, you can create a large mailing list for e-blasts or newsletters about your book.

6. Practice good booth etiquette.

  • If you are sharing a booth, be considerate and polite to your fellow authors.
  • Don’t complain to your fellow authors if the event isn’t going well and you aren’t selling many books.  Attitude is contagious!
  • Work out ahead of time how you will approach customers at the booth so you aren’t overwhelming them and pressuring them to buy books.
  • Be friendly and approachable.
  • Don’t just sit at the booth and wait for people to come to you.  Engage passersby in conversation and offer them any giveaways you may have.  Use the opportunity to tell them about your book.

7. Arrive early, allowing plenty of time to set up for the event.

Items you will need for your booth:

  • Books. You will need to determine how many books you will need to have available for the event.  You can always keep extra copies in your car, if needed.
  • Giveaways. Just like at trade shows, attendees are always looking for free items.  Have a supply of bookmarks, business cards and push cards on hand to help promote your book if people don’t buy a copy on the spot.
  • Décor. Most festivals will give you a table and a chair, and not much else.  Find out if you’ll need table coverings, a tent or awning (if an outdoor event), or a power supply for any video or audio needs you may have.  Also make sure you have pens and posters to advertise who you are and why you are there, preferably with a photo of your book cover on it.  You may even want to have a banner made for your book that you can re-use at future events.  You’re only limited by your imagination.

8. Have book ordering information available in case you run out of books.

  • Business cards and push cards can be used for this purpose.

9. Send a thank-you card to the organizer after the event.

  • If the event was especially successful, send a letter of commendation to the event organizer. They may ask you to be a featured author next year.

10. Book early for next year’s event.

For more information about book marketing and promotion, read Terry’s Cordingley’s self-titled blog at http://terrycordingley.blogspot.com.

 

Originally Published March 24, 2017 on ChristopherMatthewsPub.com. Christopher Matthews Publishing is a division of First Steps Publishing.

What’s the THEME of your Story?

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In her recent series of posts on theme, C.S. Lakin explores the importance of theme in your writing. She says,“without theme, plot is just a string of scenes, with little purpose. And although such a collection of scenes could be exciting to read, theme takes that plot to a much higher level and ultimately gives you a higher quality story.”

Your novel will be richer and a more rewarding experience for the reader if it is based on one or more themes. But, how does one identify or work theme into his or her story?

First, she suggests:  Ask Questions to Get to Your Theme

“Ask yourself, ‘Why did I write this novel? What excited me about the idea? What moved me to take this idea and form it into a concept with a kicker? Why do I love my protagonist? What excites me about the conflict in my story and why do all these things matter to me?’And my favorite: ‘Why am I willing to spend months of my life slaving over this story—what is compelling me to such madness?’”

If you can answer these questions, Lakin says, you will be able to answer what your story is really about, what the heart of your story is. And that is your theme.

“Themes are not just topics or subjects . . . You might say your book is about abortion or capital punishment. That is just the topic (idea). Ask: What are you saying about that topic through your characters? Whether you are taking a strong stance or none at all, in order to have a story with a plot, with characters who care about something, you will have theme.”

Theme Is Intrinsically Connected to Concept, Protagonist, and Conflict

“If your concept involves astronauts on a dangerous mission to Mars, for example, and you are writing action/adventure/suspense, what is your theme(s)? Well, that depends on your other pillars: the concept, the protagonist and his goal, the central conflict with high stakes.

“Let’s look at the protagonist’s objective in the movie Red Planet (also the collective goal of all the characters)—which is to get to Mars to see if the experiment to grow algae is a success. That may or may not present a viable or engaging theme. With that idea, you might have a purposeless string of scenes as they get to the planet (or not) and face danger or obstacles.

“But here’s the concept and kicker for that movie: It’s 2055. Earth can no longer feed all its inhabitants, so this is a desperate measure to save humanity (great concept and kicker, danger/conflict with high stakes,a clear goal). By setting up this story with three strong corner pillars, it makes the way for great themes. How so?

“Interestingly, there are a lot of themes going on in Red Planet, which makes it a rich and fascinating story in addition to the basic action/adventure going on as one thing after another goes wrong and the characters die one by one. The plot is exciting and well structured, which is key.

“What the screenwriter did to make the way for themes galore in this story was to create a cast of characters from different scientific disciplines, each passionate about something that clashes with other characters’ passions. When you have characters all conflicting because of their worldview, beliefs, morals, and priorities, you have the ingredients for rich themes in your story.

Theme Emerges in Conflict

“In Red Planet, the scientists must struggle to overcome the differences in their personalities, backgrounds, and ideologies for the overall good of the mission. Note that they share a common goal, but each has different passions and beliefs. When their equipment suffers life-threatening damage and the crew must depend on one another for survival on the hostile surface of Mars, their doubts, fears, and questions about God, man’s destiny, and the nature of the universe become defining elements in their fates. In this alien environment, they must come face-to-face with their humanity.

“Plot shows the story; theme is the story. Plot is the vehicle for theme.”

The above excerpts are glimpses into some of the insight Ms. Lakin brings to making your novel stronger and richer through an understanding of what the theme of your work is and how to effectively work it into the plot and characters. C.S. Larkin is a writer and freelance editor whose blog, Live, Write, Thrive provides excellent advice for new and experienced writers and includes extremely helpful checklists to make your writing the best it can be.

 Our thanks to Ms. Lakin for her permission to reprint this material from her blog.

NOTE: (originally published on ChristopherMatthewsPub.com, now a division os First Steps Publishing)

7 Must Do Steps to Get Your Book Published

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If you thought writing your book was tough, wait until you try to get published!

The truth is publishers and agents are very risk averse. They get hundreds of submissions, and their first priority is to look for reasons to reject a manuscript .  They have plenty to choose from, so as soon as they can find anything to bounce your ms. off their desk and into the hopper they will reject it.  You may get a form rejection letter from them , or, more likely, you will never hear from them at all.  And, more it may very well have had nothing to do with your writing ability.

It could be as simple as you didn’t use the standard 12 pt. font (either Times New Roman or Courier),  or you didn’t follow their submission guidelines, or they read a couple of pages and you had made first-time author boo-boos.

I can’t guarantee you’ll get published, but having been a publisher, editor and writer myself for over 40 years, I do know some things you absolutely must do if you want to get published, even if you are going to self-publish. Following are 7 steps I feel are critical to get your manuscript’s foot in the door.

1. READ, READ , READ.

This is common and good advice for any writer.  The more you read, especially in your own genre, the more you as a writer will start analyzing and realizing what makes a book work or not. Also, read books on writing. There are a lot of excellent ones available.  The bible for fiction writers is Stephen King’s On Writing. You must read that, but there are many other great books, or even blog articles online that will help you develop the craft of writing.

2. POV.

One of the biggest red flags in a manuscript is point of view handling.  90% of new writers’ work that I see doesn’t properly handle point of view.  You should stick to one character’s point of view per section.  If your main character is John and he is “seeing Jane through his eyes, feeling his heart pounding and a squishy feeling in his stomach”, you can’t say, “And Jane was feeling the same sensations, only with a sense of trepidation…” You have 2 characters’ inner feelings being acknowledged, but you started out in John’s point of view. He can’t describe what Jane is feeling, so neither should you. As soon as someone considering your manuscript sees that you don’t get POV, they will go no further in looking at your material.

3. JOIN A CRITIQUE GROUP.

Either join or start your own critique group with people who will be totally honest and supportive. Ideally, you should have at least one member who has been through the publishing process.  Having your friends or family read your work is not very helpful, since they either don’t know what to look for, or will be hesitant to criticize your work.  The feedback you can get from others who understand writing will be immensely helpful.

4. READ YOUR WORK OUT LOUD.

If you are in a critique group or just by yourself, hearing the words that are on the page rather than just reading them will help you identify a myriad of problems in flow, dialogue and grammatical errors.

5. CAREFULLY EDIT.

The best thing to do is hire a good editor to go over your manuscript before you submit it. A professional editor can quickly find things that you might have missed or even be unaware of. Paying someone to edit your work can be expensive, but even if you only have a professional edit the first three chapters, you will likely get your money’s worth in suggestions that you can use when self-editing the rest of your work.

6. FORMAT YOUR MANUSCRIPT PROPERLY.

There are plenty of instructions online on how to present and format your manuscript, what fonts and margins to use, what the headers and cover page should look like, have you double-spaced, etc. The easiest thing an editor or agent can do is look at your cover page and see if you know what you are doing. If you haven’t followed standard formatting rules, you’re wasting everybody’s time. Into the hopper.

7. BRAND YOURSELF BEFORE YOUR BOOK.

In today’s world, more than ever, promoting one’s book falls primarily on the author, whether you are publishing with one of the big traditional houses or you are self-publishing your book. If you want your book to sell, you need to set the groundwork for that just as the Hollywood studios do before a new movie is released.

Months before it’s out, they start promoting  a  film so viewers will be chomping at the bit to see it by the time it is released. They don’t wait until after the movie is in the theatres.

  • Start branding  yourself today.
  • Start a blog now and join online discussions in groups that might be interested in your genre.
  • Start blogging with some of your writing and interesting comments; writing things that people and search engines might want to look at.I’m not talking about a blog where you say you went shopping today and bought the cutest sweater at Macy’s. I’m talking about posting some of your creative writing, maybe chapters from your work in progress, maybe pertinent observations.

The more people get to know you before your book is published, the more likely you are to get some good sales when you finally launch your book months from now.

If your posts and discussion comments are intriguing, you just might get a publisher interested in you before you even submit your work. Wouldn’t that be nice?

There are, of course, no guarantees or magic formulas for getting published , but you will stand a much better chance of becoming successful if you pay attention to these 7 guidelines.

Good luck, and remember, as author Richard Bach said:

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”