Busting through Self-Publishing Myths-Part 1

If you're considering self-publishing, you are probably confused by the conflicting information that's available to writers on the Internet, in newsletters, blogs, magazines and the general "word of mouth" that gets spread around at writers groups. There is no simple, right-or-wrong answer to the question, "Should I self-publish? " However, the answer to your question lies in getting getting the facts straight before you make a decision.

Here are 6.5 Self-Publishing Myths that Need Busting:
1. You should self-publish if you keep getting rejections from agents and publishers. I have to say this the worst reason to self-publish and the best reason not to. This is advice is commonly seen on the websites of the less-scrupulous POD (print on demand) publishers who only want you to pay them to publish your work. The other place I see this reasoning is on the blogs of writers who act like 7th-graders with a substitute. (Yay, the teacher's not here. Let's do whatever we want!) Do not give up if you have received only a handful of rejections; every writer receives these. However, if you've been sending out the same manuscript to no avail for over a year, or have racked up over 100 rejections, it's time to rethink the work. Bring it to a writer's group or hire an editor to get some feedback. Take writing classes and attend conferences to find out how to improve your writing and package your work professionally in your submissions. After you have reviewed and improved the manuscript, then self-publish if you wish.

2. Self-publishing is vanity press. This is commonly espoused by smug literary snobs and people who haven't paid attention to the technology boom of the past 10 years. In the past, "vanity press" was the term used to describe the subsidy publishers who would print anything anyone brought in. Despite the high price, the quality of the work and the book was typically poor, and unwitting authors would end up with a garage or storage room full of books that couldn't be sold, not even to their mothers. With the advent of POD technology and more widely available publishing how-to information, however, self-publishing has become a more cost-effective and timely option for writers. The publishing industry is light-years behind other creative fields, such as film and music where indie performers are encouraged, praised and even revered. There are many reasons why an author might legitimately decide to self-publish that have everything to with talent and nothing to do with vanity.

3. You have to market yourself if you self-publish. Actually this is true. It's the presumption that if you have a traditional publisher, you don't have to market yourself that is the myth. People who give this as a reason not to self-publish have not read anything written by industry professionals or attended a writers' conference in the last 20 years. Every agent, editor and publisher in the business advises writers to build a platform and be prepared to be actively involved in their own book promotion. The Hollywood-enhanced notion of the author spending long days writing, evenings drinking and editors cleaning up their work while publicists scrambled to arrange book tours died decades ago. Today's successful authors treat their writing careers as a business that combines many talents and skills. And when did marketing become a four-letter word, anyway? Isn't the point of writing to communicate with your audience? There's no better way to do that than to talk about your book. So get into it, and spread your message!

Part 2 of this article busts through myths 4 through 6.5 and reveals the real information you need to know about self-publishing.

Should I self-publish my book?

I regularly receive many questions about self-publishing, but the question posed to the publishing panel in my June 5 Wordy Woman Publishing Success newsletter article seemed to ignite a rash of responses.

I can't say I'm surprised. I read three daily online publishing ezines, two weekly writer's ezines, daily blogs and three monthly writers' magazines and most of what is written about self-publishing is often wrong or, at best, misleading. No wonder writers are confused about what to do.

Your questions (and confusion) have prompted me to take action. In upcoming weeks, I will be focusing on self-publishing on this blog and in my newsletter. If you have specific questions you'd like to see addressed, please email me or leave a comment here. I will post a Q&A for everyone's benefit.. .

Much of the information I see touted as "truth" is based on myth. Now I am a big fan of ancient mythology as far as literature, but I like my nonfiction based on reality. Before you move forward based on widely held opinions spouted on the Internet, think about the fate of the great ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, which were rooted in mythology.

If you prefer a happy ending for your hard work, stay tuned. Upcoming posts will be about exposing some of the most commonly held myths about self-publishing.

An English teacher is not an editor

I congratulate all writers who submit their work to proofreaders and editors for a final polish before submitting. A review by a professional is especially important for book manuscripts. Yet, more often than not, when pressed as to who was the editor or proofreader, a writer will respond that the manuscript was read by a friend or relative who was an English teacher, majored in English in college, or got As in English while in school. I would bet the vast majority of literary agents and editors would back me up on this statement.

An English teacher or major is not a professional editor nor a proofreader. I was an English major who got As in English. That gave me the natural inclination to seek employment in the publishing industry. My first job was editorial assistant. My first day I was given a sheet with proofreader's marks to learn and a style book, Words Into Type. I spent one year learning the basics of copy editing before becoming an assistant editor, at which point I was assigned a few minor titles to work on under the supervision of another more experienced staff member. I learned how to move a book through the various stages of the publishing process from manuscript to bound book. After another year, I was promoted to associate editor and became responsible for more titles and more in-depth analysis of what it takes to create a successful book in terms of content, organization, ancillary products and marketing. Then I became an editor and my last position at that publishing house (after 5 years) was senior editor and I supervised 16 titles, 2 staff editors and a host of freelance editors.

I'm bringing this up to point out the difference between an editor and an English teacher or someone who is gifted with language. We have the same basic talents, but very different training. There is much more to fine tuning a manuscript than finding spelling and grammatical errors. I have reviewed manuscripts submitted to me that were edited by English teachers. I find errors. It's not that the teachers are not good in the classroom, but they are not trained in print production. I have a two-page checklist of things to review in a manuscript. An English teacher who is editing your work is looking for spelling and grammatical errors, which is last on my list—not unimportant, but it's the final step, not the only one.

An editor's job isn't limited to finding errors; an editor can make suggestions for better organization, presentation and flow. Everyone needs an editor, including editors. Two pairs of eyes are a must [period]. Make your second pair of eyes a professional editor. Yes, it is an expense. Publishing is a business. If you're serious about seeing work published, then investing in a good editor is a cost of doing business.

"Truth" turns out to be fiction

In the Boston Globe article, "Liar, liar, bestseller on fire," author Steve Almond examines the possible reasoning behind the recent "I made it up" memoir confessions of Margaret Seltzer (Love and Consequences) and Misha Defonseca (Misa: A Memoire of the Haulocaust Years). Almond examines the validity behind Seltzer's statement to The New York Times that she was driven to deceit. She said, "I just felt that there was good that I could do and there was no other way that someone would listen to it."

Almond suggests there's truth to Seltzer's seemingly ridiculous statement because today's declining book readership demands "ripped from the headlines" memoirs and editors are pressured to respond by supplying readers with what they want. According to Almond, editors don't believe fiction can supply the sensationalism of a "true" story, hence they jump to print author survival stories because "such books are 100 times more likely to get reviewed and featured on National Public Radio and anoited by Oprah."

Was nothing learned when thousands of readers returned their copies of "A Million Little Pieces," after author James Frey admitted that he made up portions of his bestselling memoir. Some readers went as far as to initiate legal action. Doesn't that tell the publishing community and memoir fakers that people want to support a tragic hero, not a liar?

I don't buy into the rationale that it's necessary to turn fiction into fact in order to get noticed or as Ms. Seltzer said, "do good." (The irony of that statement could launch a novel itself.) I also don't buy into the popular notion that sensationalism for profit is an excuse to tolerate subterfuge and downright dishonesty. The publishers get little sympathy from me for not checking facts before racing to get the next bestselling survival story on shelves.

My previous post discussed the power we hold as writers. With that power comes responsibility. In 4Ps to Publishing Success, I devote an entire chapter to developing an authentic voice and establishing a bond of trust with the audience. Authentic writing stems from the desire to share the insights we've gleaned with others and leave the world a slightly better place for our efforts.

Let's wield the power of the pen, but do it responsibly. Our purpose is connect and make a difference, not just a profit at any cost.

Inspired by Oprah

I've been intending to get back to blogging and make it part of my writing life for weeks. I advise others to blog when they consult with me. So why haven't I done it? Poor excuses mostly and I won't bore you with them.

I read some incredible statistics on Friday in Publisher's Lunch about what has happened to A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle since being selected as an Oprah Book Club title. In advance of the announcement, the publisher, Penguin, shipped an initial order of 775,000 books. Then, Oprah and Tolle announced a free 10-week online webinar for readers. In the past four weeks, Penguin has shipped an additional 3.34 million books, "the record for the most copies ever shipped by Penguin Group USA in a four-week period."

Four million books in slightly over a month. Because Oprah endorsed it. That's power. Not only of the woman, but of her words. Now millions of people are reading Tolle that never read him before and never would have. (Think some of them might even buy his previous titles?) Do you think he will influence lives?

You and I have the same power. Every time we speak or write, we send out messages. As writers, our words have lasting power. And so, I am once again inspired to write in my blog as well as in my weekly newsletter The Wordy Woman because I, too, have a mission and I believe in the power of the pen.

Why write?

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.” -- Maya Angelou

Email Etiquette for Query Letters

Are you emailing your query letters to prospective agents and publishers? If so, I hope you are using the same etiquette you would use for snail mail. That means you begin your letter with Dear Ms. or Dear Mr. Agent. Then you write out your three or four paragraphs using proper spelling and grammar without any text or email shorthand (lol, 4 instead of for, u for you, etc.).The only real format difference is that instead of having your contact information in the letterhead, you can include this info under your signature.

Make sure you follow the submissions guidelines as far as attaching copy or including your writing sample in the body of the email. And don't forget to check and double check the spelling of the agent's or editor's name.

My new ebook, Four Ps to Publishing Success, has a whole chapter dedicated to making yourself attractive to agents and editors. You'll find guidelines on how to prepare a professional letter and eight tips for crafting an irresistible query. Check it out!

Point of View

I was invited to lunch by a friend last week. She said, "You're always so positive and uplifting ... and I've been a little down of late. My book seems stalled, and blah-blah-blah. I need a Shelley boost." Not being one to turn down an opportunity for a free meal or to bask in a little praise, I accepted with enthusiasm.

As we enjoyed our meal alfresco at a downtown sidewalk cafe, my friend remarked that she admired my focus and positive outlook. "You always seem so sure of yourself and what you're doing." In comparison, she said, she was frequently distracted from her writing and discouraged by some recent contest disappointments and difficulty completing a chapter.

I admit to being pleased that I project such a favorable image. But here's the kicker: When I look at my friend, I see a woman writer whose byline keeps popping up in print and Internet columns. In addition, her fiction and nonfiction work has been selected on several occasions in just the last year as a contest winner or runner up--and for some significant cash awards as well! In my estimation, she is a prolific writer and producer of fine quality writing. In fact, in recent months I've envied her continued output while I've been distracted from my personal work.

Point of view is more than just the voice of a character in a work of fiction. It also means having a distinct perspective based on where you stand. I guess I've learned that when I don't like the view from where I'm standing, I move. I turn the pages in my mind until I find a scenario that suits me better.

Hey, we're writers. That means we create our own reality as well as fantasy. So, focus your perspective on a vision of yourself that suits you. And stop examining yourself in a 5X magnifying mirror--learn to overlook your perceived flaws and focus on your talent and your purpose.

Writer's Block or Writer's Excuse?

“What are some of the obstacles you've faced and overcome?” That’s the question I like to ask when I interview people who are leaders in their communities, companies or organizations. Although the individual replies vary, the majority of the responses reveal that each person has managed to transform some type of adversity into opportunity.

What I have observed in my own 30-year career is that the opposite is true as well. Unsuccessful people not only let obstacles stop or delay their progress, they actively put barriers in their paths, preventing them from reaching their goals. We all are guilty of this to some degree. After all, it is easier to say we don't have time to write because we work and have children, homes and mates to look after than it is to get up an hour earlier, go to bed an hour later, or work through lunch hour at the office.

It seems to me that each time I make a concerted effort to rein in my concentration and focus on the completion of a goal, the Universe sends something to tempt me away. Just when I decide to spend the next two weeks finishing the final edit on my book, I get called for a lucrative assignment or interesting project that gives me reason to put my personal work on the back burner—again.

I've decided this is the Universe's way of testing my resolve. It's saying to me, "OK, Shelley. You say you want your book published. For everything you receive, you must give up something. What are you willing to sacrifice to get what you want--some time, some income?”

Without exception, I have regretted my decision each time I placed my goals on hold "just until this next project is finished." And, each time I placed myself ahead of the distraction, and said "no" to stepping off track, I have been rewarded with an inner sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes with following my heart rather than my head (or pocketbook). The decision to pursue my true calling has also led to far greater riches in the long run than any assignment ever pays in the present.

Knowing what is the right thing to do and actually doing it are two different things. Most of us need some support to help us hold steadfast to our goals. Being part of two writers groups provided the motivation and support I needed to finish my novel. If I didn't have that commitment to produce a chapter a month, I'd probably never have finished my novel at all.

If you've ever felt the desire to pursue your writing dream, don't let obstacles stop you and, above all, don't construct stumbling blocks to your success. Set attainable goals and find a support system to keep you going when you're tempted to get off track. Finally, start visualizing your book signing or whatever symbolizes the accomplishment of your goal...and know that I'm there with you, cheering you on.

Are you serious?

Lots of new writers contact me with questions about how to get their articles or books published. Some hire me to coach them. A few get past the first critique and assignment. The ones who stick it out get published. Why are the numbers so small? The fault lies not within the publishing industry (or my tutelage); the fault lies within the writer. Most people simply do not want to put in the time and hard work. Many have unreal expectations about what an agent or editor will do for them. Others think once the book comes out, the publisher will spend a small fortune to promote and sell it.

I never discourage anyone from writing. Writing for pleasure and expression is a pleasurable past-time. It's fun and rewarding.

But, if you're serious and want to publish your work, get educated about the publishing process. You've got to love the process or you'll never have the stamina it takes to see your name in print.

My suggestions to all writers who want to become published is to go to a writers' conference, subscribe to writers' magazines and ezines (find suggestions at my website) and join a writers' group. Oh yeah, and buy my workbook "4 Ps to Publishing Success: Get your manuscript off your desk and into print" when it comes out in a few weeks. You'll get a complete overview of everything you need to know about the publishing process and practical information on how to navigate the system. Available as an old-fashioned print book or new-fangled eBook.

Once you know what you don't (now) know you don't know, it's going to seem a lot easier. And your future agent and editor will thank you for it.