Comments on: How self publishing can lead to a real book deal http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/ A veteran publishing insider's views on how to get published in today's marketplace Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:53:12 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Self-Publishing | Katriona Chapman Illustration http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-2/#comment-12309 Self-Publishing | Katriona Chapman Illustration Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:00:32 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-12309 [...] 5000 copies would be a minimum to impress a publisher, according to Peter Mayer of Overlook Press http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/) There’s also a good article here on getting a self-published book taken up by a publishing [...] [...] 5000 copies would be a minimum to impress a publisher, according to Peter Mayer of Overlook Press http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/) There’s also a good article here on getting a self-published book taken up by a publishing [...]

]]> By: Jenipher http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-2/#comment-11992 Jenipher Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:38:10 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-11992 Hello everyone! I was curious if anyone had a good place they published they're book? I'm seeking to self publish very soon and keep running into brick walls. Any help would be VERY appreciated! smiles, Jenipher :) Jenipher@cherryrunway.com Hello everyone!

I was curious if anyone had a good place they published they’re book?
I’m seeking to self publish very soon and keep running into brick walls.

Any help would be VERY appreciated!

smiles,
Jenipher :)
Jenipher@cherryrunway.com

]]> By: K.C. Hilton http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-11920 K.C. Hilton Mon, 05 Sep 2011 07:39:16 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-11920 Great article! I think it's very important to KNOW your market. For instance, I write middle grade fiction. If I want my book in the hands of young readers I must do several things. I do giveaways at schools, talk to parents and encourage children to read. I support summer reading programs and I'm currently having the first book in the series made into an audio book. Keeping a blog and a website up to date are also important and I agree with social media marketing. Marketing your book and yourself are very important when self publishing. It can be a bit overwhelming at times, but it's all worth it. The Magic of Finkleton had over 2,000 sales within the first month of release and has recently received the Children's Literary Classic Seal of Approval. Create a fan base through your books. Again, online marketing does a lot for this, but it's your readers who you need to communicate with through Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and of course your website and/or blog. The Magic of Finkleton has fans! I love getting emails from children and adults, who want to know about the sequel. Everyone loves FREE stuff! Aside from book giveaways, people love bookmarks. Treat them like your business card. Always have them with you! I give several to children, parents and teachers to hand out to their friends and so on. I've even handed some out while browsing a bookstore! Reviews! Get your book(s) reviewed. As you know, REVEIWS are like GOLD to an author and we LOVE the GOLD! All my best to everyone! Great article!

I think it’s very important to KNOW your market. For instance, I write middle grade fiction. If I want my book in the hands of young readers I must do several things. I do giveaways at schools, talk to parents and encourage children to read. I support summer reading programs and I’m currently having the first book in the series made into an audio book.

Keeping a blog and a website up to date are also important and I agree with social media marketing.

Marketing your book and yourself are very important when self publishing. It can be a bit overwhelming at times, but it’s all worth it. The Magic of Finkleton had over 2,000 sales within the first month of release and has recently received the Children’s Literary Classic Seal of Approval.

Create a fan base through your books. Again, online marketing does a lot for this, but it’s your readers who you need to communicate with through Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and of course your website and/or blog.

The Magic of Finkleton has fans! I love getting emails from children and adults, who want to know about the sequel.

Everyone loves FREE stuff! Aside from book giveaways, people love bookmarks. Treat them like your business card. Always have them with you! I give several to children, parents and teachers to hand out to their friends and so on. I’ve even handed some out while browsing a bookstore!

Reviews! Get your book(s) reviewed. As you know, REVEIWS are like GOLD to an author and we LOVE the GOLD!

All my best to everyone!

]]> By: Michael A. Robson http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-11666 Michael A. Robson Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:39:00 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-11666 WOW this is fantastic.. This is pure gold for writers, thank you! WOW this is fantastic.. This is pure gold for writers, thank you!

]]> By: Rob Kaay http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-10242 Rob Kaay Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:25:08 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-10242 Thanks Alan. I put out my new urban fantasy novel in October last year. I podcasted the first nine chapters. From those nine podcasts the Supanova Pop Culture Expo in Australia asked me to be a guest speaker. At the Expo, Borders Australia stocked my novel and let me sell it from behind their booth. I sold out of my first pressing of 1000 copies. I made my investment back, plus some. I've just completed the screenplay version and am talking to a director in L.A. about maybe (maybe) shooting it. Now I've started writing the next one. Articles like this helped me find the guts to just do it. Thanks Alan. I put out my new urban fantasy novel in October last year. I podcasted the first nine chapters. From those nine podcasts the Supanova Pop Culture Expo in Australia asked me to be a guest speaker. At the Expo, Borders Australia stocked my novel and let me sell it from behind their booth. I sold out of my first pressing of 1000 copies. I made my investment back, plus some. I’ve just completed the screenplay version and am talking to a director in L.A. about maybe (maybe) shooting it. Now I’ve started writing the next one. Articles like this helped me find the guts to just do it.

]]> By: Alison McLennan http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-9349 Alison McLennan Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:41:01 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-9349 Thanks Alan, If I'm rejected and decide to try self-publishing I will save my pennies so I can afford a good indpendent editor (like you) before I put it out there. Marketing is important but the quality of the book is most important and for that you need a good editor. I've often asked myself if I died, would it still be important to have the book published? Minus the kudos and self-satisfaction does the book matter? When the answer is yes then I will be ready! Thanks Alan,
If I’m rejected and decide to try self-publishing I will save my pennies so I can afford a good indpendent editor (like you) before I put it out there. Marketing is important but the quality of the book is most important and for that you need a good editor. I’ve often asked myself if I died, would it still be important to have the book published? Minus the kudos and self-satisfaction does the book matter? When the answer is yes then I will be ready!

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-9346 Alan Rinzler Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:13:29 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-9346 Hi Alison, It does take courage to self-publish: a belief in your work, faith in its ability to find a market, and also the commitment of time and energy it takes to publish and market an independent book successfully. If you decide ultimately to try this route, I wish you good fortune. Hi Alison,

It does take courage to self-publish: a belief in your work, faith in its ability to find a market, and also the commitment of time and energy it takes to publish and market an independent book successfully. If you decide ultimately to try this route, I wish you good fortune.

]]> By: Alison McLennan http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-9127 Alison McLennan Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:03:04 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-9127 The MS of my first novel, Falling For Johnny, was requested by editors of two fairly large publishing houses. That was in March and everyday I check my email mulitple times hoping I might hear something back. I decided to write fiction because of a nagging story that developed over years of insomnia. When I surrendered into the writing, when the characters spoke to me in the middle of the night as if they existed on their own, and the story took a twist or turn that was never intended, then I fell in love and finally felt like I was doing my "work". But when the work was finished and the the reality of the marketplace, the query letters, the agents,the rejections, the elusive platform, the blogs, the game, the posturing, the self-promotion, wow, when that all set in I felt demoralized. "Look Ma, no hands!" But no one is looking. You'll have to ride backwards on your head if you want to get noticed. Now I long for the days I never knew, when authors chained smoked in front of typewriters and wrote! Really, I long for any news at all about my MS. I will self-publish if they reject it because there is a generation of readers out there, people I know and don't know who are not long for this world and I want some of them to read "Falling For Johnny." Thanks for this honest and informative blog! Cheers to everyone who has had the courage to self-publish. The MS of my first novel, Falling For Johnny, was requested by editors of two fairly large publishing houses. That was in March and everyday I check my email mulitple times hoping I might hear something back. I decided to write fiction because of a nagging story that developed over years of insomnia. When I surrendered into the writing, when the characters spoke to me in the middle of the night as if they existed on their own, and the story took a twist or turn that was never intended, then I fell in love and finally felt like I was doing my “work”. But when the work was finished and the the reality of the marketplace, the query letters, the agents,the rejections, the elusive platform, the blogs, the game, the posturing, the self-promotion, wow, when that all set in I felt demoralized. “Look Ma, no hands!” But no one is looking. You’ll have to ride backwards on your head if you want to get noticed. Now I long for the days I never knew, when authors chained smoked in front of typewriters and wrote! Really, I long for any news at all about my MS. I will self-publish if they reject it because there is a generation of readers out there, people I know and don’t know who are not long for this world and I want some of them to read “Falling For Johnny.” Thanks for this honest and informative blog! Cheers to everyone who has had the courage to self-publish.

]]> By: Rodney Williams http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-6615 Rodney Williams Thu, 27 May 2010 06:14:10 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-6615 I have self published two books. My first book "Gone By Faith", sold thousands of copies through signings and speaking engagements. My second work "Reach For The Praise" is a self published work, published by Xlibris and it is doing quite well in sales. I encourage those of you that have manuscripts that YOU believe in, to turn those ideas into a cover, and let the cover speak to the reader. Then let the rest become history! So instead of sitting around waiting on a book deal, become the catylist and make your dreams a reality. Thats why I did, and thats what I am doing, one book at a time. Godspeed.. I have self published two books. My first book “Gone By Faith”, sold thousands of copies through signings and speaking engagements. My second work “Reach For The Praise” is a self published work, published by Xlibris and it is doing quite well in sales. I encourage those of you that have manuscripts that YOU believe in, to turn those ideas into a cover, and let the cover speak to the reader. Then let the rest become history! So instead of sitting around waiting on a book deal, become the catylist and make your dreams a reality. Thats why I did, and thats what I am doing, one book at a time. Godspeed..

]]> By: Kait Nolan http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-6610 Kait Nolan Mon, 24 May 2010 18:39:41 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/03/11/how-self-publishing-can-lead-to-a-real-book-deal/#comment-6610 So many great success stories! It makes me proud and happy to be joining the indie movement! I only recently published my debut paranormal romance novella Forsaken By Shadow. It's intended as a sort of teaser to build interest in the series I have planned. It's been such a wonderful learning experience, and I have to say that there's a lot of attraction to having full control of EVERYTHING. There's something about seeing your grassroots following grow by leaps and bounds that's just so exciting! So many great success stories! It makes me proud and happy to be joining the indie movement! I only recently published my debut paranormal romance novella Forsaken By Shadow. It’s intended as a sort of teaser to build interest in the series I have planned. It’s been such a wonderful learning experience, and I have to say that there’s a lot of attraction to having full control of EVERYTHING. There’s something about seeing your grassroots following grow by leaps and bounds that’s just so exciting!

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