So, You Want to be a Paperback Writer? Get Published
Most writers have a book in them somewhere. Today’s electronic world has made it much easier and cheaper to get a book into print. Publishing is simple but marketing is much more difficult.
Many serious writers have a dream of actually writing a book but the sheer enormity of it some how stops them trying.
Writing, editing and getting a publisher to accept your book is difficult, but not impossible. Not all types of books are suitable for main stream publishing which is geared to profit.
There is also what used to be called vanity publishing but is now called self-publishing. This used to cost many hundreds of pounds or dollars and was often out of the question for many writers.
Today, there are far more in the way of options. There is POD publishing (print on demand) which is a system where you enter your manuscript and you can publish just one copy if you wish. As you get orders, you can buy more copies. There are also a number of very easy to use on-line publishing sites, including Lulu which allows you to publish your book and sell it from your very own storefront.
Once you have designed and published your book on a site like this, you can start to publicise it. If you sell through Lulu you earn from every copy ordered.
Publicity is the most difficult part of the whole operation because unless you market your book, you won’t sell any copies. There are many ways to do this but emailing details to family and friends is a good start.
Build yourself a website to promote your book, or join up to a book promotion site like New Book Blogger which will give you publicity and allow you to send your friends and colleagues to the page to view your book review. (This is a free site so there are no hidden costs.) You can link from here to your own website, or add an email address to get sales.
Go to forums that are relevant to the topic of your book and promote yourself. But, be prepared for a long battle. It isn’t an easy job, but each time you sell a copy it is very rewarding and you will get a real buzz from it.
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March 20th, 2009 at 3:54 am
Thanks for your invaluable advice.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Good tips. Thanks. I was wondering about the title of the article – is the word ‘be’ left out on purpose or is it just an error?
March 20th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Useful advice, I had heard of lulu but not really looked at it.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Thank you. I always wanted to publish a novel.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Nice and useful. Still, getting the self discipline to plan and write an entire book seems daunting.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Valuable information that all writers need to know!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I bought Glynis’ book from Lulu It looks great nicely presented…I haven’t had the peace to read it yet but I do read Glynis’ poetry online so I doubt if I’ll be disappointed.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Good article. I will look into Lulu. I’ve heard mixed reviews of it. The key, though, is that you have to do a good job of marketing your book. Thanks for the tips.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:26 am
First of all, this is great article with good information. The writing part…I’ve done that. I’m working on my third real novel. (The novlette I wrote in high school doesn’t count–except as a writing exerience.) The publishing part–not so much yet. My first novel is pretty much unpublishable–just a thing I wrote because it was in me. The second has possibilities, but needs some work. The current one I think will be the one! I’ve seen authors come into libraries marketing their work: I’d like to note even if you publish your own, EDITING is very important. Hank the Cowdog is a self-publish success story. The public library where I used to work saw a LOT of donated vanity publications. We shuffled most of them out of sight as soon as possible.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Yes, Lulu is good but that isn’t the only option. Don’t forget that there are mainstream publishers. I published my first book on Lulu, a second one via a local POD company and my third has been taken up by a traditional publisher. I don’t think that writers should see Lulu as their only option. It is an option though.
Marketing is the hard part.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Excellent advice. I like the approach you personally took … starting with Lulu and ending up with a traditional publisher. That’s so cool.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Thanks for the info…really helpful
March 20th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Great info, Louie. I’ll certainly put my second book on the site you mentioned.
About the title of this article . . . .
March 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I agree with everyone. This info is really helpful for all writers. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us.
March 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I know, I know…..title has now been fixed! (I am literate you see…….)
March 20th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Great information, thank you for that!
March 20th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I am a lulu self published writer, I sold in UK, Cyprus and USA. This has given me courage to approach a publisher at a later date to consider my second book.
Good article
March 20th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
now that was helpful i want topublish a book and i had no idea of some of the places you have mentioned here thanks young lady for the help your write is solid and radiates your brilliance i have some writes you might find informative be good and i look for more articles of help from you my friend
March 20th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
great write and very helpful thanks
March 20th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
great info!! especially if you want to write books!
March 20th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Good advice. I have been trying for a year to find a publisher for my book. I have finally this last week looked into agents. They are looking over my manuscript now. If that doesn’t pan out then I will look at self-publishing.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
My first book is ready and I’m debating Lulu vs Dogear vs AuthorHouse… and then I may start my own publishing house. Your article is helpful.
Thanks,
Clay
March 20th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I don’t know if I have a book inside me, Louie. If I have, these great tips will come in handy.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
What great information. So far, it’s still just a dream for me.
March 20th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Once again tackling a subject that will benefit the group. Thanks so much–again–Louie.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Excellent! That was great and very well presented. I always enjoyed reading your works Louie. Well done and thanks for sharing this great ideas..nice vid. clip too
March 20th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Great and helpful information.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Between work and family, I find it difficult to get an article in print sometimes. It’s hard to imagine an entire book. lol Louie you have provided lots of food for thought. Thanks for sharing.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Awesome write Louie great ideas
March 20th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Godd ideas, Louie. I have been toying with the idea myself, but it just seems so formidable.
March 21st, 2009 at 11:42 am
As always Louie, the bare bone facts and no frills; good advice.Thanks.
March 21st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Great tips!
March 21st, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Nice article…thats if you have the money to self publish.
March 21st, 2009 at 2:29 pm
smblonker: That’s the whole point! You don’t have to have the money. If you can’t get a traditional publisher you can still publish without huge costs. That’s the point of Lulu and sites like it.
March 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Really good advice here, thanks!!!
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 am
Good article.
Inna
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:13 am
Good article. What many writers, and would-be writers don’t realise is that writing is only one part of the job. We also have to be great marketers and shameless self-promoters.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
I mostly want to know how to be picked up by a regular publisher, its much harder now than even 20 years ago I am certain.