2 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 2 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 choose a publisher for publication https://www.saracshepard.com/how-to-choose-a-publisher-for-publication/ Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:11:00 +0000 https://www.saracshepard.com/?p=12 If you have written a book or are still writing one, the thought no doubt crosses your mind as to how nice it would be to hold a paper edition in your hands. No matter what they say about the Read More...

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If you have written a book or are still writing one, the thought no doubt crosses your mind as to how nice it would be to hold a paper edition in your hands. No matter what they say about the popularity of e-books, paper will always be nicer for the author.

Two ways to publish a book

Generally speaking, the talk about the difficulty of publishing with a reputable publisher is well founded. And don’t think it’s just now. In my opinion, in Soviet times it was even more difficult for an author who just came “off the street” to publish his book, especially if he did not have publications in reputable journals.

Now a man can take a simple, though not at all cheap, path. This is to publish a book at their own expense, using the services of numerous organizations that do this. Such publishing houses, or rather printers, there are many. There you and the proofreader with the editor will offer, and the artist for the cover and assign ISBN (international book number). Just pay money. At the output the author can get any number of decently published and beautifully decorated copies of his book.

Prices from such publishers vary, they depend mainly on the appetites of publishers and editors and on services in the distribution of the book, which offers the author of these organizations.

The second way is much more attractive, but less reliable. It is to publish a book, even if not in a very reputable publishing house, but not for your own money, and even better to get a fee for it.

For this you must first choose a publishing house, and this choice should be taken very seriously. Of course, and the right choice does not guarantee publication, but without it, there is no chance at all. That’s how to choose a publisher, and now we’ll talk about it.

Step One

You should start by categorizing your book, that is, defining the genre and theme. For example, it could be a detective, a love story, a historical novel, a fantasy, etc. But this is not enough, you need to define the category of the book as precisely as possible. For example, a detective can be historical, military, sentimental, mystical, etc.

If you have a historical novel, it is also worth highlighting some of the nuances that distinguish the book: a military novel, sentimental, adventure, etc. I’m not talking about fantasy, there are all sorts of subgenres and themes.

Why do we need it? The fact that publishers are now publishing books in series – so they find their audience faster, it’s easier to place them stores, etc. And if your work does not fit into any series, it makes no sense to send it to the publisher. They won’t take it, no matter how well-written the text is. They won’t even consider it. Even with a well-known and best-selling author, perhaps, and then take it with variations. But they won’t take a beginner’s.

Stage Two

With the genre and topic decided, now we go to gather information about publishers. The easiest way is to use a search engine.

You’ll get several lists, of which choose the most extensive – the more the better. Don’t fall for just the big publishers – the smaller ones can be useful, too.

Step three

From the list, follow the links to the official sites of publishers and see if the menu has a section “for new authors” or “for authors. If there is, we mark it as paramount, if not, we send it to the bench, but we don’t cross it out completely. They may still be useful. The absence of this page, most likely says that publishers do not work directly with authors and usually do not take texts from “gravity.

For those publishers who work with new authors, we open a catalog and carefully analyze the different series – looking for one in which your work can fit. If there are, in your opinion, a few, then look at which series has more books, and which exists longer (by year of publication of books it is visible). It is better to send the text to the most popular and viable series. By the way, when submitting a manuscript, don’t forget to indicate which series you think it fits best. This may prove to be a deciding factor in evaluating the text.

If you do not find a suitable series, then this publisher can safely be sent to the basket – the publication here you will not shine.

Once you’ve picked publishers, read the information on the author page carefully. It usually specifies the requirements for a manuscript, its length, formatting, and review deadlines.

You should not limit yourself to one publisher. It’s better to pick a few suitable ones and do a fan mailing. Oh, and don’t forget to go back to the ones that don’t have an author page. What if there’s a series where your work fits perfectly? Even if there isn’t the right page, the publisher has email addresses to contact them. You have to take every chance you can.

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How to write a synopsis https://www.saracshepard.com/how-to-write-a-synopsis/ Sat, 12 Dec 2020 18:05:00 +0000 https://www.saracshepard.com/?p=7 If you do decide to publish your book and even have a publisher and series in mind, you will face the difficult but inevitable task of writing a synopsis. You may find it intimidating and stressful, but don’t worry. The Read More...

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If you do decide to publish your book and even have a publisher and series in mind, you will face the difficult but inevitable task of writing a synopsis. You may find it intimidating and stressful, but don’t worry. The synopsis is everyone’s nightmare, even for established authors.

What is a synopsis

A synopsis is a summary of a book’s content, which must be sent to the publisher along with the main text. The supreme privilege of not sending a synopsis is reserved for authors who have been publishing and selling successfully for a long time. That is, writers in whose texts the editor is sure – she / he will not write bullshit.

The synopsis is very important, because the lead editor, to whom your letter arrives, is essentially the only one who reads it.

And since it’s the synopsis that determines the fate of a book, you have to write it well. How? Short, to the point, and to the point.

Rules for the synopsis

In general, a book synopsis is written in any form, but there are a few mandatory requirements that must be followed.

  • The synopsis is written in the third person, even if the book itself is written in the first person. No “I” should be there.
  • The synopsis should be written in the present tense, although this is almost never the case in fiction texts themselves. For example: “A young count comes to stay with his uncle for the summer and there he meets…”
  • In the synopsis, in addition to the actual retelling of the content, it is necessary to specify the time of action, the place of events and the specifics of the world (if it is fantasy, fantasy and often a historical novel).

The synopsis is 3.000-5.000 characters with spaces, or 1,5-2 pages in 12-point font.

This last requirement is a major stumbling block. How do you write a 400,000-character synopsis on two sheets of paper in such a way that it reflects all the book’s strengths? After all, it is the synopsis that should interest the editor. And in your own native, beloved book, everything seems very important. And how is it that the editor won’t know about the circumstances of the first kiss or the first broken sword? It’s hard to write a synopsis, I believe.

Substantive Tips

So, the task before you is difficult, but quite doable. You are not the first, nor will you be the last. Perhaps these tips will help you.

  • Try to abstract from the fact that it is your text. Imagine that you are retelling the contents of someone else’s book.
  • If you have trouble abstracting, set the text aside for a week or two, and then, without looking at it, start writing the synopsis. Don’t be afraid that you’ll forget something important. If you forget, it’s not important.
  • Forget details, insignificant characters and situations. Yes, they may serve important functions in the book, such as gradually changing the character’s character. But in the synopsis, it’s enough to write, “The hardships of the journey, battles with robbers, and encounters with new people have hardened the character.”
  • Identify a few key moments and events that define the plot and the behavior of the characters. Describe the rest of the events in general phrases: “Long talks about art and walks under the moon brought the characters closer, and friendship turned into love.
  • Don’t try to write beautifully, try to write briefly. The synopsis is not meant to show the beauty of your style. All the artistic turns, verbal equivocation, metaphors increase the volume, but do not carry any semantic load.

If you do go overboard, reread the synopsis again and think about what you can get out of it. Still, it’s better for the editor not to know what color the heroine’s ball gown was, or how long the hero’s claymore was, than not to read the synopsis at all.

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