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| Photo credit: Google Images |
Although my job as the ghostwriter does not include
publishing or marketing services, I’ve been in the game long enough to have
some excellent contacts in the Book Biz, which I always share with my clients.
I do not like to see them fall into the clutches of an unscrupulous “vanity
publisher” company, spending thousands of dollars for little or no return. I
also don’t like to see my writing skills wasted on books that no one will read
because of the author’s inexperience in the Book Biz. It’s not easy for a
newbie to tell the difference between good help and bad. Recently a prospective
client told me his horror story of spending $25,000 with a self-publishing
company to get his first book (which I did not ghostwrite) “out there” – and in
return has received royalties of less than one hundred dollars in three years.
This time he is going to do a better job – but it was an expensive lesson.
So when I first talk to a prospective client, I explore
their knowledge about the Book Biz, and always recommend that before they spend a
bunch of time and money on a ghostwriter, they contact someone who does have
extensive knowledge of that Biz. The person I recommend is Jan King, a book coach and
publishing strategist who has helped many of my clients successfully negotiate
the wilds of the Book Biz without losing their proverbial shirts.
Jan has been in the Book Biz for over 30 years, working for
(as the CEO) a traditional mid-size publisher, and is now dedicating her
expertise to helping authors not only explore the traditional route, but
successfully self-publish by using the skills of various freelance
professionals. She calls this assisted self-publishing.
If you or any of your editing clients are thinking of going
the self-publishing/ indie route, I highly recommend you check out this
website. Here hopeful authors can get detailed information about the best ways
to publish their books, find out what help they need and is available, how long
it should take, how much it should cost, what is reasonable to sign in a
contract and what they should never agree to. And more.
In addition, the blog hosted on www.assistedselfpublishing.com
takes you on a “real life” journey from book idea to book release, covering all
the steps and including posts written by the author and the freelancers – book
coach, content editor, copyeditor, proofreader, indexer, virtual author assistant,
marketing guru, book designer. (Full disclosure: I was the content editor on
this project.)
The Book Biz can be a scary place for newcomers. It really
helps to have a guide.
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| Kim Pearson is an author, ghostwriter, and owner of Primary Sources, a writing service that helps others become authors of professional and compelling books and articles. She has authored 6 books of her own, and ghostwritten more than 30 non-fiction books and memoirs. To learn more about her books or services, visit http://www.primary-sources.com/. |
Kim, this is very valuable information for anyone who self-publishes. With the mind-boggling number of books glutting the marketplace, it's next to impossible to get noticed unless your name has been up in lights or bandied about in the media. Expert help can definitely make the difference in sales success or failure.
ReplyDeleteWriters often post questions about who to turn to if they need assistance. I will keep this name in my files. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe 25k debacle aside ... I would tell anyone considering the indie publishing route that selling a book is like selling anything else ... it's all about the marketing. If you have the right marketing strategy ... and enough money ... you can sell anything ... just ask the folks who brought you Pet Rocks. Unfortunately, many indie authors lack in both areas ... me as example numero uno.
ReplyDeleteChristopher, I agree that marketing (or the lack of it) is an absolute necessity, no matter how good your book is. However, if you have a bad book that sells like hot cakes (or pet rocks) because you're a super marketeer, in the end all that means is that a whole bunch of people know you wrote a bad book.
DeleteBut it's comforting to know he made a lot of money and had a few laughs all the way to the bank. :D
DeleteSelf-publishing is more than just writing - it's running a business. Most businesses hire help for various stages of their production and this is no different. Good to have these kinds of referrals! There are plenty of editors in our group, and we've blogged about book cover and book design. Lots of resources here!
ReplyDeleteVery helpful information for all writers, Thanks, Kim. The more you know, the better the outcome will be.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jan King's website is one-stop shopping for the ins and outs of publishing. Thanks for sharing. Yes, successful self-publishing is a business, and not for everyone, but Jan's site helps make the learning curve less sharp.
ReplyDeleteJan has been my go-to person for over 10 years. I am so grateful for her insights and her help.
DeleteThanks for this. I just got a 'blind' email from someone starting a proofreading business and it would be nice to have a price comparison. She did offer a 'free in return for a testimonial' introductory offer, and clearly that price can't be beat, but I've never hired a separate copy editor just for proofing.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it's the same person who sent me an email in the LPP submissions mailbox. Terry, I know a terrific line editor in COS if you're interested. I'll email you.
DeleteI was just talking to another writer who does pretty much the same thing you do, Kim, although she does help clients actually through the production phase. She shared a similar story of some unfortunate eager writer who got bilked by a vanity publisher. It is so sad that there are companies who simply take advantage like that. Thanks for sharing a resource to help writers avoid the trap.
ReplyDelete