Happy Indie Author Day

Seems it is Indie Author Day across the nation! The Buffalo and Erie County Library held their 8th annual Indie Author Day today with a fabulously informative morning conference.

Six speakers talked about everything from writing to publishing to marketing. I've attended four of these mini conferences, but this one was fantastic. I can usually walk away with a few nuggets of information, but my notebook is filled with tips and websites.

One great piece of publishing advice from author Lisa Fellinger: "Consider your own skills and decide where you need professional help. Be honest about your abilities."

Annette Daniels Taylor, author of the Marvelous Marvella series, spoke about the different types of publishing. She gave information about educational publishers, which I was not familiar with. In the end, when choosing the type of publishing you want to pursue, "It all depends on your personal goals, your budget and how much time you want to invest," she said.

The day ended with a three-author panel Q&A, who addressed issues from finding free publicity, to networking, to happy moments and disappointments in their own writing and publishing journeys.

Kudos to everyone involved in bringing us Indie Authors a very informative morning! There's always only one problem with these events: they leave with lists of things I need to do to improve my game! Can't wait until next year! (I have so much work to do before then;)

Publishing Series: #15 A Closer Look at the Page

Let's take a closer look at preparing the pages for print.

Hopefully, you've been working in Word, since that is the most flexible program when it comes to formatting pages for a book. You've probably been typing in 8.5x11, but if you look under "layout" in the top toolbar, you will see the icon for changing the size of the page. Depending on the publishing program you are using, find out the size options for your published page. These are usually about 5x7, but they vary slightly. It is important that you know the exact size the published page will be.

At the bottom of Word's layout dropdown menu, you will see "more paper sizes." This will allow you to type in the exact size of the page you need. When you apply to the entire document, you will magically see your book in real book size! This is a very exciting part of the process!

Start to visualize your pages as you would a book, with a left page and a right page. The next thing you will want to do is to adjust the margins for the entire document. You have probably been using Word's default margins, which is one inch all around. Book margins are not that big. Start using a well published book from your bookshelf as a model. Bring a few samples to your workstation as references. The outside margins -- the one on the far left and the one on the far right of the double page -- should each be about a half inch, maybe even smaller depending on your preference. The two margins that meet in the middle of the double page -- the gutter, however, should be larger because space is needed for the bend of the pages as the reader opens the book. If this inside margin is too small, the words will flow into the crease formed by the meeting of the pages and your reader will struggle to read the story.

Once the margins are applied to the entire manuscript, it will really start looking like a book! These measurements are not set in stone. They can be adjusted during the process, so experiment until you are satisfied with the appear
ance.

Next Time: A Closer Look at the Front Matter

Publishing Series: #13 Prepping the Manuscript

So, you've decided to indie publish. Good for you, but remember, some hard work lies ahead.

First, you must commit to being a detail person. You want the best version of your work out there for public consumption. Your author reputation is on the line.

Second, decide on the publishing platform you will use and become familiar with it. For instance, I found that if using Kindle Direct Publishing, my manuscript transferred easily if it was written in Word rather than in a Google doc. 

Third, prepare the entire book document before you transfer it. This means preparing what is called the front and back matter as well. What do I mean by this? Pull some books off your bookshelf, and look at what is written on the pages before the story actually starts -- this is the front matter. There are blank pages, a copy right page, a dedication, extra title pages, sometimes a table of contents. If you want your book to appear professional, you need all these "extra" pages. These pages appear in a certain order. Model the appearance, type font, and order and your work will appear professionally published.

Look at the back matter in these books as well. Back matter is anything that comes after the book is finished. You'll need an "about the author" page. Read some professionally done examples and model yours after theirs. Will you need author notes? Look at several examples of what other authors do.

Then you'll need to finalize the actual text. This involves inserting either a heading or a footing for page numbers. Again, look at several professional examples and decide which basic design will work for you. Word offers you several options that can be tailored to fit your needs.

This is also the time to finalize other details. What font do you want the body of your text to appear in? Take out spaces between paragraphs, unless it is used as a device to indicate a change in setting. Make sure that paragraph indents are only about 3 spaces, not the typical 5. Don't indent the first paragraph of each chapter. (Don't believe me on this one? Check out some professionally published works!) Do you want an oversized letter at the start of each chapter? Play around with that. What font and size should your chapter headings be? Should they be centered? Flush to the right or left margin? Should they have titles? If they have titles, you'll definitely need that table of contents.

As you can see, there are a lot of decisions to be made and a lot of work to be done. Take your time, and do it right. Now is not the time to rush. Remember, you want your work to look its best out there in the world!

Publishing Series: #12 The Difference between Indie and Self-Publishing

We've been exploring publishing options now that you have your book crafted. We explored traditional publishing in the last entry in this series, and there are two other options: Indie Publishing and Self-Publishing.

There is a huge difference between these two methods of publishing your work.

With self-publishing, an author finds a printing house, usually a small one. This printing house agrees to publish the work, but the author will have to pay to have a certain number of books published. This will usually cost the author several hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for a run of, say, one thousand books -- possibly more. After paying the agreed amount, the publishing house will print the books and deliver them to the author. It is then the author's responsibility to sell this inventory of books. He might talk bookstores into purchasing them, or he might sell them at author signings. Usually, the author is left with a large number of boxed books that he doesn't know what to do with. This method is also often referred to as being printed by a "vanity press."

Independent publishing has one major difference from self-publishing. It is a print-on-demand process, so that the author never has to carry an inventory. There are several ways to indie publish, but I'll probably talk a lot about Kindle Direct because that is the method I use and that I am most familiar with. Kindle Direct is the independent publishing arm of Amazon. When one of my readers purchases one of my books through Amazon, their copy is printed just for them. It's not pulled off a shelf somewhere. Amazon pays me my royalty. I am also able to purchase a small number of books, say 20 or 30, at a low author cost, when I have an author signing, so I never have to worry about boxes of books that I have to store. I also haven't invested a ton of money.

To me, this is a no-brainer. But it probably also depends on the type of book you are publishing. Explore the products of each method. Look at the quality. What do you want your book to look like? You want your name associated with the best-looking product possible.

Publishing Series: #11 Traditional or Indie Publishing?

This is a huge question.

There are folks out there who want to be traditionally published and are willing to die on that hill. Traditional publishing means being offered a book deal by a major publishing house.

This path requires finding an agent first. Back in the old days, you could send your manuscript right to a publisher, but no more. If you do that, you'll be lucky to have it sent back to you.

Nowadays, you need to find an agent first. There are tons of them out there. If you have no other publishing credits behind you -- in other words, you haven't published any articles, short stories, or poetry in magazines or newspapers -- it's best to start with an agent who is new to the business. Sounds like it won't get you very far, but these folks are eagerly looking for a good manuscript. Search out new agents on google, in the Writer's Market, or in ads in writer's magazines. Since agents specialize in certain genres, you'll want to find an agent who handles the genre you are writing.

When you have gathered a few names, you'll want to craft a query letter. The first paragraph of the letter should tease your book, much like the back cover blurb would tease a perspective reader. The rest of the letter should include your book's length, genre, and your contact information. This letter will accompany the first part of your book -- usually the first 30 pages. To an agent, these first 30 pages are key, so make sure something big happens in the first 30 pages. If it doesn't, rewrite!

Then send off your packages. And wait.

As you might have guessed by now, this is the hard part. You'll get rejection letters. Some of them nice, some of them form letters. The most disappointing part of this path is that agents will only represent one writer per genre, so if they already have a science fiction client, for instance, and you write science fiction, they won't represent you also -- at least not until they have sold that first client's book to a publisher.

Book deals are hard to come by. They take talent and a whole lot of luck -- but there are other options.

Next Up: Indie Publishing

The Publishing Process Series: #1

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, "How do you get a book published?"

I wish there was an easy answer! Writing is a long process. I once heard someone describe it as being similar to wading through mud. For me, it is more enjoyable than that, but there are parts where the going is slow, and the writer has to put in strenuous effort and perseverance if moving forward is expected. The process is even longer if the writing is a side endeavor, as it is for me right now. Balancing a career, family, and the fun of writing is a tightrope walk, but that might be best handled in another series of entries.

Over the next several entries, I am going to discuss the steps I've found it takes to getting a piece of writing published. Topics will include coming up with an idea, drafting, the role of beta readers, revising, and moving to book form, for starters. The publishing process
might be different for others, and I encourage comments, questions, and others' advice because no one's journey in this endeavor is the same.

Next Up: The Idea

New Release!

Please join me in celebrating the release of my next novel – Eye of the Peacock!


What is it about? Well, it’s about a teenager, Aubrey Harrington, who just wants to get the community service hours she needs to graduate from high school. She never thought that taking the volunteer tour guide job at the local mansion would change her life forever. When she falls – or is pushed – down a flight of stairs, Maeve Somerton gives her a hand up, but the help comes with a price. Maeve thinks she was murdered, and now Aubrey must help her.

Spiraling back in time, Aubrey feigns being Maeve’s school chum to try to solve a mystery among strangers. Meanwhile, Aubrey also lays comatose in a hospital, and as her condition worsens, her family and friends wonder if she will ever come back to them. Caught in a twist of time and existence, Aubrey finds herself more ghost than alive in a world in which she was never meant to be.

Will Aubrey be able to solve the mystery of Maeve’s death? And even if she does, will she be able to find her way back home?

So what is the genre? Once again, there’s a lot going on. A little supernatural, a little time travel, a little historical fiction, but it combines for a fun read! Click on the image in the right column to order!

Talking Writing with Teachers

Today I had the true pleasure of talking writing with colleagues. Teaching and writing buddy John and I discussed why, when and what we write in an attempt to inspire more teachers to find their inner novel.

We talked about how being a published writer adds a layer of credibility to you as a teacher.

As a teacher of English, writing Relic made me practice what I preached. I battled point of view, re-writing almost the entire manuscript as I changed from third to first person. I also can personally attest to how much effort goes into word choice to help create the tones associated with my scenes and characters. Both word choice, tone and point of view are aspects I want students to pay close attention to as they read to see how they affect the book as a whole.
We also got to chat about publishing, especially indie publishing.

Great fun!

Talkin' Writin'

I love talking with young writers about the craft.

My daughter had some friends over yesterday, and I got to have a short conversation with one girl who has a draft of a book she wants to publish. We chatted about agents versus independent publishing.

Before the holidays, one of my students stopped by after school looking for advice about how she was drafting her story. I took a look at her notebooks, and she’s doing everything right – outlining the story, writing bios for the characters.

This is what it is all about.

Spreading the love of literature, whether it be through reading it or writing it.

As 2015 wanes, think about how you are going to start spending 2016. Find a way to chisel out some time to spend in a creative – or created – world.

 

So Many Decisions

"It’s never too late to be what you might have been."

                                             -       George Eliot

 

I’m sorry that I haven’t been around, but remember my first job is teaching. The end of the year is a busy time.

I have squeezed in some time to play with the page layout of

Relic – just enough to make me anxious and excited to get rolling full speed. I’ve had time to play with font styles for chapter numbers, chapter titles, and possible drop caps.

I’ve realized my paragraph indents are too big for a small page. I’ll have to hand adjust each one unless I can find a quicker fail-safe way. I’ve also started to drop in photos at the beginning of each chapter, but that has only impressed upon me how many more photos I have to take.

Plus I have to find time to finalize the map of Willowbend and the floor plan of Hydrangea Hall. I’m spending a lot of mental time trying to figure out what style I want them to be. Should they look like a young person drew them? Should they be a pencil sketch? Marker and water color? Should they be child-like, or drawn by a person with some artistic talent?

So many decisions to be made….

I can’t wait!

Next Steps

Now that Relic is written, I fear the real work has begun!

I’m working on a final edit. After that I plan to read the entire manuscript aloud to check for any final tweeks. Then it’s all about laying out the inside pages with my photography at the start of each chapter. I’m going to use a marketing person to write a blurb for the back cover. I need to worry about ISBN numbers and Library of Congress numbers and dedications and acknowledgements.

While I work on preparing the inside of the book, I’ve engaged the services of graphic artist Aaron LaPorta to design the cover. I’ve sent him a summary and my author’s notes for an initial direction. He’s great at the work he does for the Buffalo Bills, so I’m sure he’ll do a terrific job. I’m really excited about how he’ll imagine my book for me.

I’d love Relic to hit the market by August, but I don’t know if that’s realistic!

 

The Quest Begins

I spent Friday on a quest – to begin compiling the art work for Relic. I knew what I needed. I’ve pictured this book in my head for a long time. I needed a photo for each chapter. Some I knew I could stage closer to home, but others needed the authenticity of a small village. I also needed a map of Samantha’s new village for the front inside cover and a floor plan of a house for the back inside cover.

Armed with my shot list, my camera, a sketch pad, a pencil and my manuscript, I headed out early for the village that inspired the setting of Relic. I started at the historian’s office – the one that actually inspired the historian’s office that Sam and Twyla visit. Historians have got to be some of the best people out there. A major shout out to local historians Doris Bannister and Doug Norton, who went out of their way to help me fill in gaps in my memory and may have even given me a idea for book number three!

After gathering information from Doris's files, I continued to the center of the village that inspired the setting of Relic. This is where the bulk of my work would have to be done. I drove through and sketched the village, took a couple photos of the village including the Middlebury Academy and some nice gingerbread houses.

Now, combined with some other photos in my files and a few more to be taken locally, I’m ready to start preparing the manuscript for publishing!

 

The Adventure Continues

Several months ago, author Wendy Corsi Staub advised me to independently publish Relic. Stubbornly, I continued to query agents. I had given myself an unofficial deadlne – summer. Now summer is a few weeks away, so I am mentally preparing. I think there is a lot of work ahead.

I have always imagined how I want Relic to look. I’ve always wanted small line drawings at the start of every chapter. I have prepared a shot list – photographs that I am going to turn into line drawings. And I’ve scheduled a day next week to go on an adventure and get the photos done. I plan to use the tools available to me in Word to turn the photos into line drawings.

Included in the adventure is also a quest to complete floor plans and a village map for the inside jackets – two things I’ve always imagined for my book.

I’m excited again!

Rejection Happy!

I’ve queried 8 or 9 agents about Relic at this point. I could give an exact number because I have all the email queries and a paper file with the agent information, but I am purposefully being vague – even with myself. I am almost trying not to put too much emphasis on it so that I don’t become discouraged. I think it’s easy to become discouraged at this point. But I want to give Relic a fair chance with this route.

Yesterday, I received a marvelous rejection! I know that sounds rediculous, but it actually made me really happy. I won’t mention the agent’s name, but the email didn’t sound as form-letter-ish as some have. She said, “Thank you so much for writing to me!” (It was the exclamation point that seemed so wonderful.) And she added, “I would definitely encourage you to keep trying.”

Just goes to show you, even a rejection can be encouraging!

Empowerment

Early Tuesday morning, before the sun was up, I was waving a placard and walking a picket line with parents, teachers and support staff for a local school district. (That's me in the middle!) It was a peaceful protest of the educational policies in New York State. Lately, educators in the state are feeling as if they are losing control of their classes, their curriculum, and the school budgets. They are losing their voice. The protest allowed us to take back some of that control. We felt we were doing something.

Our chant was, “This is what democracy looks like.” And it was. It was a show of Americans using their constitutional right to voice their opinion. I don’t mean to get political here. I'm writing about it because the experience lit a fire under me. I felt empowered. Sometimes when we feel like we lack control of a situation, we need to find a way – any way -- to make something happen.

Two things dawned on me that day.

First, I prefer to write about young female protagonists, and this is how I want them to feel. I want my characters to be empowered, to find the strength to make a difference. I don’t like reading books where I have to suffer through a plot where things keep happening to the female character and she is given no ability to change things. In Relic, my protagonist gains the courage to speak for someone who doesn't have a voice.

Secondly, I have always been a person who likes to find ways to make things happen. A writer friend of mine is self-publishing, and I am pretty impressed with the product. As I wait for agents to respond to queries, and as I line up more agents, I have a nagging thought. I believe in Relic. I want it to be read. Perhaps self-publishing is a road I will travel as well. I refuse to be a female character who waits for things to happen!