Notes from One Writer to Another
Do your research. Be aware. Before paying someone to publish your book or before signing a self-publishing contract, even if it does not involve an initial payment from you, Google the publisher’s name along with the word “scam.” Then, repeat with the word “complaint.” Read carefully and think.
Subsidy Publishing: Proceed With Caution — The Book Designer.
If you have started your book with a prologue, here is something you should read from Kristen Lamb. Her entire blog, by the way, is fantastic!
7 Deadly Sins of Prologues–Great Novel Beginnings Part 2 | Kristen Lamb’s Blog.
Every month, Jane Friedman publishes a wonderful collection of links containing the best business advice for writers. Here’s the post for March 2013, and you can access previous months from the same location. Use your time and money effectively! Take a look.
Best Business Advice for Writers: March 2013 | Jane Friedman.
Reviews now on Goodreads will be readily accessable on the Amazon site and on Kindle. If you are marketing your book, this could be good news for you. Alternative purchasing buttons are said to remain. Ultimate impacts of the marriage between Amazon and the popular review site are unknown at this point. (You don’t have to share your Amazon purchases on Goodreads if you don’t want to.) Click on the link below for more information.
Amazon Buys Goodreads: The Impact On Authors Book Sales | Bestseller Labs.
Important business and contract information for every writer. Be sure to read the discussion, too. Then, do some research before signing a contract.
Writer Unboxed » 5 Industry Trends Requiring Every Writer’s Attention.
Here is a terrific rundown on self-publishing, for those who are considering it. (I’m not, but I know people who are.) It includes both pros and cons. The title calls it “Indie Publishing,” but it has nothing to do with indie bookstores or the traditional smaller presses that are sometimes called “Independent Publishers.”
Click below:
IndieReCon: The Honest Inside Scoop or the Pros and Cons of Indie Publishing by Jessie Harrell.
Here’s a warning that free services are not really free. You are paying for publicity, publication, storage, and more when you contribute anything online. Considering that these perks have real value, it is still worthwhile to post content of all sorts, but you should be aware that any of these sites can change their terms of service at any time. Be careful when posting recognizable photos of anyone, anywhere and think twice before using “free” cloud storage or exchange sites for potentially valuable original text. They might be okay, but I prefer external drives.
Think twice before self-publishing, but if you are determined, read this before submitting anything to the new Archway.
Writer Beware ® Blogs!: Archway Publishing: Simon & Schuster Adds a Self-Publishing Division.
Here’s a discussion about picture books, YouTube, and copyright. Read the comments and consider your position.
Susanna Leonard Hill: Oh Susanna – What About Copyright Infringement?.
If you’ve finished your NaNoWriMo novel and are tempted to self-publish now, here’s some food for thought from people who know.
One Way to Wonder 