The Writer's Workroom

[die2live]

Okay, I haven't looked into these, but here they are:
RodeDog Books- jdam@dorrancepublishing.com
Red Lead Press- Tgoss@dorrancepublishing.com
tploeckelmann@dorrancepublishing.com

I'll get the exact website with the free self-publishing guide out here eventually. Right now, it's Morris Publishing. You could probably do a google search and find it if you don't want to wait.

 

[morningstar2651]

Revising prose

 

[Ann Doupont]

Thanks, die2live, for the post. I already checked into Morris and decided against using them.

I'm considering Aventine Press for my next book. I found a website that lists many POD publishers. booksandtales.com.

Ann

 

[artybloke]

Just a question - do these publishers happen to charge the writer for publishing with them (rather than pay the writer royalties, and make their money from selling the book in bookshops?)

If they do, then they are vanity publishers and should be avoided.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Just a question - do these publishers happen to charge the writer for publishing with them (rather than pay the writer royalties, and make their money from selling the book in bookshops?)

If they do, then they are vanity publishers and should be avoided.

I think these are POD (Print On Demand) publishers. So, they are not traditional, but sometimes people want to publish their own books anyway and develop their own marketing plan. This can be very useful for people who have a really good book idea, but the idea may be very unique and the publishing houses aren't sure how to market it. So POD can be useful for that, but I certainly agree with you that there are many who present themselves as traditional publishers and charge reading fees and what have you. And for an author who wants to make cash from it, it's important to have a good marketing plan in mind.

But even the trad publishing houses are requiring more and more marketing ideas from the authors, an whoi doesn't want to promote their own book, anyhow? It would be a great idea to talk about strategies. Rick Warren had a good one for A Purpose-Driven Life. He developed his book to be used as a guide for a church study group and marketed to churches. And the book hit a timely message in a way that most people, regardless of spiritual expereince, could understand and benefit from using.

Anyone want to share their marketing ideas?

 

[artybloke]

Whitehorse -

I think POD publishing is probably fine if you know what you're doing and have a marketing strategy and the time to carry it out.

As for "traditional" publishers expecting you to promote your work, that's fine too, as long as they at least pay travelling expenses.

But no-one should be exploited by "publishers" just out to make money from writers, and I think writers should do very careful research into the company before they sign on the dotted line. Writers are often quite vulnerable to this kind of exploitation, especially those who have the idea that just because they have an idea for a book that it "ought" to be published. That's why I think it's vital for writers to try and get some critique of their book before sending it out. Writers' Groups help, though these can be sometimes rather too "pat-on-the-back" rather than helpful at times.

 

[lilangel04_86]

Sometimes I wish I could just plunge into the middle

Sometimes that's just what you have to do. Then when you have the beginning, middle, and end put them together and blend it so you won't be jumping from piece to piece.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Artybloke, absolutely. Another thing new writers should watch out for is phony "agents" that send letters saying how they've heard about your work and want to represent you. Legit agents don't hunt down people who don't have an established, proven publishing track record, and even then I don't know of many particular cases except by recommendation of another writer or editor; how could they hear of a new author's work? It's actually much easier to get in with a trad publisher than it is to secure a talented agent. When they ask for cash up front or make unreasonable charges or they also happen to offer book doctoring services, it's time to turn and run the other way. A legit agent makes cash selling your work, not reading it.

But since it's actually easier to find a trad publisher, the key to getting one is to know precisely what that publisher publishes and from what angle (two companies may publish political works, but one could be conservative while the other is liberal), and submit it the way acquisitions wants it submitted. Follow all customary submissions rules (white 20-lb. business paper, include self-addressed, stamped envelope, clean copy, proper formatting, etc.). Have a basic business plan. Be able to tell precisely who this book will reach, why it is important, what need it will meet in the market, why it is unique (very, very important) and why this publisher is the perfect one to publish it and why you're the perfect one to write it.

While we're on the topic, here is a link called Preditors and Editors. Anyone researching a publisher might want to look at this. There are other useful features here as well:

anotherealm.com/prededitors/peba.htm

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

Or, if you're new to writing, how many would you like to send out?

 

[Locket]

Neeeeeat. This is cool. I'm in no way any sort of pro. Just a kid that likes words and daydreaming up things

Terri Blackstock's website has alot of links for writing tips that helped her in her career.

 

[ConstanceB]

I know-organizing the material is the least fun part for me, too, because there are so many different ways you can treat the material. Figuring out which one to use is a pain in the hiney to say the least. Have you figured out the main storyline yet? If you have the ending, then it gets much easier because at least you know what you're shooting for. I wrote a book and finished it, but I wasn't happy with the ending. Something bothered me about it and it took three months to figure out why I didn't like it. Then I had to rewrite the whole last half of the book because the whole main premise was wrong and the last part wasn't salvagable.

It is said that a real writer is not afraid to cut out what does not work.

If you know what you wrote is good but dosn't match what you're working on, you cut and save it -- and wait confidently.

(Icidentally, I have an unpublished novel I've rewritten four times. I'm figuring out that this is one case whe

 

[ConstanceB]

It is suggested that a real writer isn't afraid to cut out what does not work.
If you know what you wrote is good but the section doesn't "work" with what you're writing, you cut and save it -- and wait confidently for the right vehicle.

(Incidentally, I have an unpublished novel I've rewritten four times. I fear that this is one case where the whole thing may be unsalvageable.)

I know-organizing the material is the least fun part for me, too, because there are so many different ways you can treat the material. Figuring out which one to use is a pain in the hiney to say the least. Have you figured out the main storyline yet? If you have the ending, then it gets much easier because at least you know what you're shooting for. I wrote a book and finished it, but I wasn't happy with the ending. Something bothered me about it and it took three months to figure out why I didn't like it. Then I had to rewrite the whole last half of the book because the whole main premise was wrong and the last part wasn't salvagable.

 

[TheOriginalWhitehorse]

It is hard to cut out the part that doesn't work, especially if it's lengthy and took a long time to gel. You're right-if it has to be done, it has to be done. It's better to lose the portion and save the book than to save the portion and lose the book.

 

[FireKame]

Sometimes I come up with characters in my head, and as soon as it hits paper the character is completely different because I had to change so much to make them fit.

I recycle a lot of my ideas; that's why I have so many current projects. Even if I cut out a section, I save it and add it else where, changing parts as neccessary.

 

[Jonteel]

In college writing classes, there were a lot of people that wanted to learn basic grammar. Too bad they didn't offer it at the U of Pittsburgh.

 

[Blessed-one]

It is hard to cut out the part that doesn't work, especially if it's lengthy and took a long time to gel. You're right-if it has to be done, it has to be done. It's better to lose the portion and save the book than to save the portion and lose the book.

uh, yes.. but it's so painful.. those words are supposed to count, now the chapter's basically slashed 30% down. (something like that)

In college writing classes, there were a lot of people that wanted to learn basic grammar. Too bad they didn't offer it at the U of Pittsburgh.

oh, they have such classes?

Sometimes I come up with characters in my head, and as soon as it hits paper the character is completely different because I had to change so much to make them fit.

mine is different in that the characters just kind of change personality on me. I gotta remember and think back on how he/she is supposed to react.