1 Archives - Sara Shepard https://www.saracshepard.com Book Publishers Thu, 11 May 2023 11:31:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://www.saracshepard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-fav-32x32.png 1 Archives - Sara Shepard https://www.saracshepard.com 32 32 What a beginning writer needs to know who wants to publish his book https://www.saracshepard.com/what-a-beginning-writer-needs-to-know-who-wants-to-publish-his-book/ Thu, 11 May 2023 11:31:14 +0000 https://www.saracshepard.com/?p=304 Are you a budding writer, brimming with excitement and ambition to share your story with the world? If so, congratulations! You’re embarking on an exhilarating journey full of beauty, adversity, and reward. As a beginning writer, the idea of publishing Read More...

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Are you a budding writer, brimming with excitement and ambition to share your story with the world? If so, congratulations! You’re embarking on an exhilarating journey full of beauty, adversity, and reward. As a beginning writer, the idea of publishing your book may seem daunting, but fear not. There are a few fundamental things you need to grasp to help turn your literary dreams into reality. Firstly, hone your writing skills by reading extensively and practicing consistently. Secondly, seek feedback from trusted peers and professionals to improve the quality of your work. Thirdly, research the publishing landscape and identify the best route for you, whether it be traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing. With these essential tips under your belt, you’re well on your way to achieving your publishing dreams. Exciting, huh?

How to choose the right publisher

Are you ready to take the next step in publishing your book? Choosing the right publisher is crucial to the success of your book. You want to find a publisher who shares your vision and has the resources to help your book reach its full potential. The excitement of seeing your name in print is just around the corner, but don’t rush into a decision. Take the time to research and compare publishers. Consider their experience in your genre, their marketing strategies, and their distribution channels. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and negotiate contract terms. With the right publisher, your book can soar to new heights and reach a wider audience than you ever imagined. So get ready to embark on this exciting journey and choose the perfect publisher for your book.

What circulation is most profitable for a beginning writer

As a beginning writer, it can be overwhelming to navigate the publishing world and determine where your writing will be most profitable. However, fear not! There is a circulation that may be just the right fit for you. Magazines with smaller circulations often offer higher pay rates for writers. These types of magazines also tend to have a more niche audience, which means your writing may receive more attention and engagement. Plus, writing for these publications may provide valuable experience and exposure, eventually leading to more opportunities and larger paychecks. Don’t overlook magazines with lower circulation numbers, they may just be the best place to start your writing journey!

What format of a book is right for a beginning writer

Are you a beginning writer searching for the perfect book format to get started on your literary journey? Look no further! With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming, but fear not, because the world of literature is your oyster. Whether you prefer the traditional format of a printed book or the accessibility of an e-book, it’s all about finding what works best for you. Excitingly, as a beginner writer, you have the freedom to experiment with different styles and formats until you find your voice. So, don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith and explore the endless possibilities that await you. Happy writing!

Why it is extremely important for a beginning writer to submit his or her books to online venues

As a beginning writer, there’s nothing quite like the rush of excitement that comes with realizing your work is finally ready to share with the world. And what better way to do so than by submitting your books to online venues? Not only do these platforms provide a vast audience of potential readers, but they also offer an unparalleled opportunity to connect with fellow writers, learn from industry professionals, and develop your craft like never before. Plus, with the rise of self-publishing and niche genres, there’s never been a better time to take that first step and put your work out there for all to see. So what are you waiting for? Strap in, grab your laptop, and let’s get your writing career off to an electrifying start!

What additional materials a beginning writer can add to his or her book

The thrill of writing your own book is undeniable! As a beginning writer, there are many materials you can add to your book to make it even more exciting. Start by creating a unique concept and fleshing out your characters with backstories and personality traits. Then, research the setting of your story to create a vivid and immersive world for your readers. Don’t be afraid to add visual aids, such as illustrations or diagrams, to give your readers a clearer picture of the story. And last but not least, add your own personal touch to the story by incorporating your own personal experiences and emotions. With all these materials, your book will be a masterpiece that readers will love!

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How to send a manuscript to a publisher https://www.saracshepard.com/how-to-send-a-manuscript-to-a-publisher/ Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:49:00 +0000 https://www.saracshepard.com/?p=121 Some are just contemplating the plan for their future book, not daring to type the first line on a blank sheet of paper. Some are passionate about writing. And some are already looking for a suitable publishing house. Why not? Read More...

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Some are just contemplating the plan for their future book, not daring to type the first line on a blank sheet of paper. Some are passionate about writing. And some are already looking for a suitable publishing house. Why not? Gods do not burn pots. And to publish your work in a reputable organization for a fee is quite real, though not everyone can. Much depends on whether the requirements of the editorial office for a manuscript are met when it is sent.

Choosing the Path

Despite the fact that the Internet has made almost any information available, many authors often look for workarounds. On the one hand, this is understandable. After all, the book is their favorite child, and so want to hold it in your hands, wrapped in a beautiful cover with the author’s name on a prominent place. To stroke the spine, turn the pages that smell of printing ink and be sure to show your friends, or even take selfies with her and put on their pages on the Internet.

So the author begins to seek the most reliable, from his point of view, ways. For example, through many hands he managed to find the editor’s contacts, and then the text of the manuscript or just a description of it is sent to the editor’s e-mail address or to his personal account.

The author is sure that this way the text is guaranteed to get into the right hands. Yes, it will. But not the fact that it will be read. Imagine that a man works as a bricklayer in a construction company, and bricks are delivered and dumped under the windows of his house, or even in the living room. He is unlikely to be happy. Besides, there are a lot of such “business” authors, and if the editor reads all the texts that come to him personally, not to the address of the editorial office, he will have no time to live. So he doesn’t read.

Read the requirements carefully

Many publishers have a special section “For Authors” or “For New Authors” on their web site. There you will find a detailed description of the publisher’s requirements for the content and formatting of the manuscript.

After studying the requirements, see if your text fits them. If not, look for another publisher or redo it.

Next, after studying the requirements, pay attention to the conditions for sending manuscripts. Some sites have special forms. They include a questionnaire, in which the author enters data about himself and his previous publications (if any), as well as a “box” where the file with the manuscript is inserted. That is all. You do not need to do anything else. By the way, the site often lists deadlines for reviewing the text.

If there is no such form on the site If there is no such form on the site, the e-mail addresses and phone numbers of the editorial offices must be listed. Choose the one that corresponds to your topic and genre, so that the text does not get lost. And send it. Sending by mail, too, it is necessary to observe conditions of publishing house, but there are general requirements.

The text of the work is sent as a whole attached file. Not fragments, pieces, chapters, but the whole. If you fear that it will be stolen in the editorial office, read my article on myths. If I don’t convince you, send the text to yourself by email. This will be proof of your copyright.

In addition to the work itself, a synopsis and abstract are sent as an attachment.

Be very careful with both the abstract and the synopsis. It happens that, apart from them, the editor no longer reads anything else. If the synopsis doesn’t convey the essence of the book well, and the synopsis is a sloppy spoiler, it will be doubly frustrating. Not only because you were rejected without even reading it, but also because it’s your own fault for failing to present your work.

In addition to the attached files, of course, you also write the letter itself, where you introduce yourself, inform about the purpose of the letter (publication) and as briefly as possible set out the necessary information.

Very important. Don’t be verbose in the letter itself; save the editors’ time-they are very busy people. Excessive verbosity and self-praise is annoying. And why would you want an annoyed editor?

That’s it, the manuscript is sent, you just have to wait for the editors’ decision and hope. Well, perhaps, if no confirmation came within a few days, send another letter asking if the text has been received. If there are phone numbers on the site, you can also call. That’s even better.

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How to write a book annotation https://www.saracshepard.com/how-to-write-a-book-annotation/ Sat, 17 Oct 2020 19:54:00 +0000 https://www.saracshepard.com/?p=124 If the synopsis is only needed for the publisher, the abstract is needed for the book anyway, if, of course, you plan to introduce your work to the reader. And it does not matter whether the book will be sold Read More...

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If the synopsis is only needed for the publisher, the abstract is needed for the book anyway, if, of course, you plan to introduce your work to the reader. And it does not matter whether the book will be sold in paper, in “electronic” or posted for free.

What is an annotation?

It is a small text for the reader, which serves two functions:

  • Informs in general terms what the book is about;
  • awakens the reader’s interest, that is, it plays the role of advertising.

On some sites, you can read that the abstract is a brief (then super brief) retelling of the book. That’s not entirely true, or rather, not at all.

Imagine picking up a book (or opening a file) to see what it’s about. And you read in the synopsis that the main character, on an expedition, finds a strange artifact. Then he gets killed and turns into a zombie. Well, why read any further? It is a brief retelling, which makes the reading of the text itself pointless.

Proceed from the fact that the abstract is, first and foremost, a promotional text. It should not retell the content of the book, but attract the reader’s attention, intrigue him, promise him an interesting narrative. And it is he, this reader is interesting. If a book of modern intellectual prose falls into the genre of fantasy, it is unlikely he will appreciate it.

The abstract must meet several requirements:

  • It should be brief – 5-6 sentences. You should not force the reader to study half a page of text to understand if this book is worth reading.
  • The abstract should take into account the needs of the target audience; it should make the reader understand that he or she will get exactly what he or she wants. For example, if you are writing an action film for a male audience, it is worth emphasizing the extreme conditions in which the hero finds himself, perhaps noting his masculine qualities, or pointing out the need to form them. If the book is a love story, however, the annotation should promise a vivid love line.
  • The annotation should reflect the genre of the book, otherwise it will not reach its target audience, and it simply will not be appreciated. That doesn’t mean that the genre has to be stated explicitly. It’s just that the text itself has to match it. For example, “Exploring one of the planets of the solar system, the colonists discovered….” Or “The hero of the book was born in that turbulent and terrible time, which is commonly referred to as the Time of Troubles, and he – a simple archer had the honor…”.
  • The abstract should contain “hooks” that hook the reader, intrigue, mystery, the solution of which is promised in the book, or a hint of a problem, a conflict that must be resolved by the hero. This will arouse the reader’s interest, he will want to know what the author writes about it all.

However, there may be a hitch – the mystery, intrigue, conflict, and problem must be in the book itself. Otherwise there will be nothing to interest the reader. By the way, I wrote about the importance of conflict in my article on villains.

One last piece of advice. Before writing an abstract, look at the online bookstore and read the abstracts of books close to your genre. They are not all good, but you get the general idea. Besides, other people’s work always stimulates your own. Perhaps you will be inspired, and you will write a brilliant annotation.

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What to do with a written book https://www.saracshepard.com/shic-harum-earum-et-adipisci-commodi/ Sat, 17 Oct 2020 19:46:00 +0000 https://www.saracshepard.com/?p=118 So you’ve written a book. What’s next? Many aspiring authors are seriously worried about this question. How to dispose of the already written work, how to bring it to the reader, and what to lie, to become a famous writer? Read More...

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So you’ve written a book. What’s next? Many aspiring authors are seriously worried about this question. How to dispose of the already written work, how to bring it to the reader, and what to lie, to become a famous writer? In the very near past, the author had only two options to solve this question: to send the book to the publisher or in the desk. But now there are more ways and possibilities. Moreover, I do not even consider the option “in the desk”. The book must find its readers, and it certainly will not find them in a desk.

Electronic publishing

This is one of the easiest and cheapest forms of publishing, which requires a minimum of financial investment. Now there are many online portals designed specifically for publishing books, the main thing is to choose the right one for your genre, that is, the one where your readership gathers exactly.

Placing e-texts everywhere is free, and if you’re lucky, readers will come on their own. But that’s if you’re lucky. You have to spread the word about your book for Internet users to find out about it. And that can cost you money. The amount depends on many factors, including the type and amount of advertising.

Electronic publication, if readers are interested in it, can give a beginning writer a chance to make a name, become recognized, popular and even earn good money. It might also be of interest to a solid publishing house.

A paper royalty publication

Such a publication is still considered prestigious; the contract with the publisher significantly raises the author’s rating. But obtaining the right to an honorary publication is not easy at all. As a matter of fact, it has never been easy.

You can criticize publishers all you want, saying that they publish garbage and give readers bad taste. But first of all, people who argue such a point of view are expressing their personal, and therefore subjective, opinions. Secondly, publishing houses are commercial organizations, and they publish what sells best. This means that readers are willing to pay for the “garbage” they publish. And most importantly, despite all the criticism of publishers, publishing in them does not become less attractive to novice authors. Including those who say aloud that nowadays they only publish garbage.

One way or another, few novice writers manage to get their book into a publishing house, and everyone wants to hold a paper volume of their book in their hands, even those who are still thinking about starting to write it.

The third way is the most troublesome and expensive, but reliable

You can publish your book on your own, with your own money. There are many opportunities for this nowadays. Various small publishers offer all kinds of editing, proofreading, typesetting, and printing services. Of course, if you want quality publication, and you should choose a proven, reputable publisher.

And, of course, you have to be prepared to spend not only on the publication itself and a good cover, but also on promotion of your book, otherwise no one will know about it.

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