I love the smell of a new book. The sound the fresh, crisp
paper makes when you turn the page. The feeling of the book’s weight in my
hands. The knowledge that those 500 pages filled with raw emotions and
heart-stopping suspense are all mine to unfold.
To me, there is nothing better than a full bookshelf (or,
better yet, a library or book store full of books).
There are some people, though, who disagree. People who
believe that books just take up too much space (gasp!), and that the better way
to store and read your favorite books is on an e-reader.
So, which really is better? Are paper books becoming a thing
of the past?
In an effort to solve this debate once and for all, I have
compiled a list of the Pros and Cons of both e-readers and paper books.
E-readers
Pros:
Size! They are small and easily portable (which is a plus if you travel a lot!). They also take up less space in your home
They may appeal more to the younger crowd since they have more in common with other popular electronic devices
E-readers such as Kindle frequently offer cheap or free book downloads
You never have to wait to get the book you want. Just click “download” and within minutes you can start reading
E-readers can be helpful for the visually impaired. You can easily adjust the font and print size to your liking
E-readers with built-in dictionaries allow you to look up words on the spot
You can easily keep all of your books in one place
Cons:
Initial cost: A quality e-reader can be a bit pricey
E-readers can be hard on your eyes
Light-emitting e-readers can cause sleep problems when used at night
You miss out on all of the great sensory experiences that a paper book provides
They have to be charged
If you drop your e-reader, your screen may crack
E-readers can be hard to read in direct sunlight
Paper Books
Pros:
You can enjoy a paper book with all of your senses
Reading retention is better with paper books. When you read text on a screen, your mind tends to scan the information. When reading text in print, your mind is forced to slow down and focus more on what you are reading
Paper books are easier on your eyes
You can read paper books anytime and anywhere—no charging or batteries necessary
You won’t crack your book if you drop it
A paper book is easier to share. While some e-readers will allow you to send a book to a friend, it is usually for only a couple of weeks at a time (and some e-readers do not offer this feature at all)
Cons:
Paper books take up more space on your shelves
They can be harder to travel with since they are bigger and heavier than e-readers
No instant gratification—You must either go to a store (or library) to get your book, or order your book online and wait for it to arrive
Paper books tend to be more expensive than e-books (someone has to pay for publishing and printing!)
Paper books are easier to misplace (or be borrowed, and never returned)
And the verdict is…
Really, there is no verdict.
The question of which is better, e-readers or paper books, really comes down to personal preference. And even though I will probably never fully convert to using an e-reader, I must admit that I do own one and use it when I travel. After all, with the excess baggage fees now charged by airlines, who can afford to tote a suitcase full of books on vacation?
As Mark Twain famously said, truth is stranger than fiction.
While that may not ring true for everyone, it seems that many writers and other
creative types, such as Twain, have led some pretty fascinating lives.
This entertaining blog from bachelorsdegreeonline.com dives into the lives of 15 famous writers whose lives have been more interesting than fiction. From Ernest Hemingway’s career as an ambulance driver during WWI, to the possibility that Edgar Allen Poe died of rabies, this blog is full of crazy and interesting facts that will lead you to believe that life, indeed, is stranger than fiction.
Some people might not know this, but many famous books were actually written by ghostwriters and not by the authors listed on the book.
The French classics of Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, are said to be collaborative works done with ghostwriters. After the death of author V.C. Andrews, ghostwriters were hired to continue her work.
And certainly, many busy celebrities and politicians with published autobiographies probably didn’t have the skills and time to write them without a little (or a lot) of behind-the-scenes help.
Whatever the reason to use a ghostwriter, ghostwriting has been a common practice for centuries, and you don’t have to be someone famous to use one. Here’s a look at some of the most frequent questions we receive about ghostwriting.
Q: What is a ghostwriter, and how do I know if I need one?
A: A professional writer who gets paid to write anonymously for another person or company is known as a ghostwriter. The person or company hiring the ghostwriter receives all the credit for the book or project, and the ghostwriter works behind the scenes. In most cases, the ghostwriter will also be the interviewer, researcher, writer, and editor all rolled into one.
If you are looking to establish yourself as an expert, build a business or professional brand, or sell your book to a traditional publisher or even self-publish but don’t have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself, a ghostwriter is a great option.
Maybe you don’t know how to write a book or do effective research. Maybe you have too many projects on the table right now and don’t have the time to write everything. Or maybe you just don’t know how to get your ideas and words out onto paper. If any – or all – of these reasons apply, a ghostwriter can be a big asset for you.
Q: What kinds of projects do ghostwriters get hired for?
A: If
you need writing of any type done, there is a ghostwriter out there who will do
it. Some call themselves ghostwriters while others may just use the term
professional writer, freelance writer, or even copywriter. Regardless of the label,
you can find a ghostwriter for all types of writing projects. Some ghostwriters
have a strict focus on nonfiction book writing, like biographies and
autobiographies, while others write in many different genres.
Ghostwriters
will write how-to or other nonfiction books, novels, screenplays for movies and
the theater, music and lyrics, speeches, comedy acts, TV scripts, blogs,
articles for both online outlets and print magazines…the list goes on and on.
Ghostwriters can also write all types of business materials (like web pages,
white papers, and brochures). Some even do academic papers.
Q: Where do I find a ghostwriter to hire?
A: Through
a simple internet search, you will find more writers for hire than you could
ever consider in a lifetime. You could narrow this list to writers local to you,
then contact and interview them for your ghostwriting needs. There is nothing
wrong with starting this way. However, not all ghostwriters are equal, and finding
and hiring one can be a time-consuming process. If you are on a deadline, you
probably don’t have the time to properly vet a writer that will fit your needs.
Upwork and other freelance bidding sites are another way to find ghostwriters. Hubstaff and Fiverr are similar and can be a good starting point to see what is available. Thousands upon thousands of freelance writers list their talents on these types of websites, all vying for writing work. While the writing fees may seem amazing, be aware. Many of the writers submitting bids to you won’t have the qualifications or skills to actually write your project. Writers on these sites live all across the world and may have no knowledge of your topic. They might not even speak your language.
Another option is to hire a company that has a whole team of ghostwriters at their disposal, where they have already done the vetting process on the writers’ skills and expertise and can match you up with the best ghostwriter for your project. Many of these companies also offer extra services in line with your writing project needs, such as editing and proofreading, and even layout, cover design, printing, and distribution services. While there are hundreds of companies, good places to start are The Writers For Hire, Ghostwriters Central, Ghostwriter Inside, or Scribe (formerly Book In A Box).
Q: How does the process of hiring a ghostwriter work?
A: Whether you use an independent ghostwriter or a ghostwriting company, the process to hiring a ghostwriter is fairly standard.
First, interview
potential ghostwriters to find one that fits your project and you will feel
comfortable working with. While some projects are shorter and don’t take very
long, if you’re writing a 250-page book, it could easily take at least nine
months to complete. You want to be sure you can have a long-term relationship
that fits both of your personalities. During the interview, ask as many
questions as you need to get a good sense of the ghost’s qualifications, skill
set, and work style. Also try to provide as much information as possible on
your project so the writer will know if they can complete the work to your requirements.
Once you select
a ghostwriter to work with, lay out the terms of the contract, payment, full
scope of work, and timelines. Also provide all the hardcopy information you may
have on your project to help the writer get started. The ghostwriter will start
to compile the information provided, detail the research and interviews that
need to be done, and they will create an outline of the project as well as a
synopsis to show their understanding of the project. Throughout this initial
process, you’ll most likely have several meetings with your ghostwriter so you are
both clear on the goals, tone, and content.
You’ll then approve
the outline and synopsis and the ghost will conduct the necessary research and
interviews and start to write the draft. Depending on your agreement, most
ghostwriters will provide updates by sending drafted chapters for your review,
giving you the chance to make changes, edits, comments, or suggestions.
Once the draft
is completed, the ghostwriter will go through the manuscript and do a full edit
before submitting it to you for your review. Many ghostwriters will also do a
final edit and proofread once more before getting final approval of the project
completion.
Q: Who owns the copyright and gets credit for the work once the project is complete?
A: Since the ghostwriter is paid to write anonymously for the person or company who hired them, the writing and project is owned by the person doing the hiring, which means the copyright is owned by them as well. Copyright law states that as soon as the work is created it is a protected work; however, most writers will have verbiage in their contract stating that the copyright reverts to the owner only after the agreed-upon fee has been paid in full. Once the project has been approved and the scope of work satisfied, the copyright can be disputed until full payment is made.
Q: Is hiring a ghostwriter and claiming the work as mine ethical or legal?
A: As a point of law, ghostwriting is legal and has been a widely accepted practice throughout history. When you hire a ghostwriter, they are performing a service and getting paid for it. They agree to write anonymously, trading credit for their work for pay. Famous celebrities, presidents, sports figures, and people from all walks of life, and even businesses, use ghostwriting services more often than you probably realize.
However, is it
ethical? Many might consider ghostwriting unethical or even plagiarism, but it
is a huge grey area that can’t be pinned down with a yes or no answer. If full
consent was given from the ghostwriter to relinquish their rights and credit to
the work, or if the person claiming the work is theirs wasn’t the writer, but
was heavily involved in bringing the project to completion, is it unethical? A
ghostwritten project is a fully collaborative effort between the ghostwriter
and the person commissioning the work. One brings the ideas and input, the other
uses those ideas and input to create the final product. Ghostwriting is common
practice and an honest service where ultimately each person must decide for
themselves if they feel it is ethical or not to claim ghostwritten work as
their own.
Q: What types of terms should be involved in the contract?
A: Once
you have interviewed and picked an independent ghostwriter or a ghostwriting
company to work with, everything you and your ghostwriter have agreed upon should
be documented in a contract or letter of agreement signed by both parties. An
independent ghostwriter might use a simple contract, laying out the terms of
the work, payment, and timelines. As long as it covers all the necessities, it
doesn’t have to be a long, formal document. A ghostwriting company will already
have a standard contract in place that will be tailored to your particular
project, if needed.
Regardless of
how you obtain your ghostwriting services, some normal terms to put within a
contact include:
An outline of the scope of work to be done by
the ghostwriter, including things like interviews, research, outlines,
drafting, editing, rewrites, estimated word, page, and/or chapter counts, etc. It
should also include information on any required rewrites or extra services such
as layout, cover design, printing, and/or distribution services.
Timing and milestones for each step of the
process should be listed out, including how often you want to see drafts of the
writing, and due dates for final draft, edits and rewrites, and the final
project.
Fee amount and fee schedules, including any
upfront retainer or deposit amount, payments during the project, and final
payment at the end of the approved project.
Transfer of copyright once the project fee has
been paid in full should be noted.
A statement of nondisclosure, or an actual
nondisclosure agreement, explaining the full transfer of the work to the hirer
of the project, and that the ghostwriter cannot disclose anything about the
project or their work on the project–if that is what was agreed upon.
Include any other pertinent information that is
relevant to your project, and address terms in the case of default on either
side, including recourses.
Always be sure
to have a signed and dated contract when starting a project with a ghostwriter.
This protects you as the owner of the project as well as the ghostwriter for
their services. Check here for sample
contracts, letters
of agreement, or nondisclosure
agreement.
Q: What can I expect to pay a professional ghostwriter and when?
A: While money is certainly a large factor in whether or not you can hire a ghostwriter, it definitely shouldn’t be a deciding factor. The fee you are paying when it comes to the writing services you need goes well beyond the written words. You are paying not only for the writer’s time, but their experience, skills, expertise, and knowledge. When a ghostwriter has more experience and understanding of the ghostwriting process, they can better align with your project versus someone with little experience or knowledge about your topic or genre. This experience and knowledge does often come with a difference in price.
Ghostwriting fees vary on any number of factors. These include their experience and skills, the length and complexity of the topic and project, the estimated page or word count, the turnaround required, and the scope of work needed. While you certainly can get some great prices and “deals” on a job bidding site like Upwork or Fiverr, or even with a new ghostwriter, is it really a good deal? If you work with someone who does not fit your needs and then are forced to hire a second ghostwriter because the first one missed the mark, then you haven’t saved any time, effort, or money. You want the best writer for your project, and the fee should be reasonable for your needs.
When you need to make payment will also depend on who you hire. High-end ghostwriters will often require full upfront payment. But most ghostwriters will only require an upfront payment of one-third to one-half of the fee, with the balance due when the final project has been approved by you. Most reputable and specialized ghostwriters will charge an hourly, per-word, or project-based rate, rather than agreeing to work on a percentage of book sales (royalties), unless the project is sure to be a bestseller. Even then, you can expect to pay a project fee, hourly rate, or per-word rate along with a percentage of revenue.
Q: What about confidentiality issues with the ghostwriter?
A: When you hire a ghostwriter and have them sign a ghostwriting contract and/or nondisclosure agreement, the ghostwriter is bound to these agreements and cannot discuss or claim any part of the project. They cannot claim credit for writing the project, and they cannot tell anyone they wrote the project. However, sometimes there is a reason you may want to negotiate with the ghostwriter to have them receive some of the credit for the work and have their name on the project. If you have hired a ghostwriter who is an expert in your project’s topic or they have some fame to their name, then it could be beneficial to transfer some of the credit and copyright to the writer. This can be done through co-author notation or with a brief statement on an acknowledgment page.
Q: Will I have issues with the ghostwriter stealing my idea or the writing?
A: Copyright law indicates that the written work is protected as soon as it is created and doesn’t have to be registered to be protected.
Since you have a contract in place with your ghostwriter stating the scope of work, the fee amount, and all the terms and conditions, both the contract and copyright law will protect you in the event that the ghostwriter steals your idea or the final project.
The contract will be a legal and binding document that you can take to court; however, the chances of the ghostwriter stealing your work are very slim if you have those protections in place. The ghostwriter will more likely be concerned with their reputation as an ethical ghostwriter and in building their business and clientele for future profit.
Q: If I try to get my ghostwritten book published, do I have to disclose this to my publisher?
A: If
you’re self-publishing your project, like a nonfiction book or novel, no one ever
needs to know that you hired a ghostwriter to write it. But what about if you
are trying to get it published by a traditional publisher? The same applies.
Through your
hiring of, payment to, and contract with a ghostwriter, all rights and credit
pertaining to your project are yours and yours alone. The contract ensures the
work is yours, just as if you wrote the project yourself. Only you and the
ghostwriter (or ghostwriting company) know otherwise. You are protected through
any confidentiality and/or nondisclosure agreements made and don’t have to
disclose the agreement to anyone unless you choose to.
Q: Will I get to review the ghostwriter’s work throughout the project?
A: As you are the person hiring the ghostwriter, you can decide if you want them to write the project all at once or if you want to review each new chapter draft. It is up to you and the writer and what you agree on. But it is highly recommended that you do periodic reviews of the work so you can make sure the ghostwriter is not only on task but understands the scope of work as they do the writing. You need to let the writer know if they are on or off target with tone and voice, research, and the direction of your project. It’s much easier for the ghostwriter to make changes to a single chapter than to rewrite an entire project from the beginning.
Q: What if I’m not satisfied with the ghostwriter’s work once they finish the project?
A: This is a rare occurrence, especially if you took the time to review the draft periodically throughout the length of the project and made sure the ghostwriter was on target as they worked. But being unhappy with the work once it is complete can happen. Assess why you don’t like the end result, discuss this with the ghostwriter, and give them the opportunity to fix the issues. Addressing rewrites within the contract is important, and should detail solutions to potential problems. But if you determine that the project just didn’t work out, the writer is entitled to keep the upfront fee, to cover their invested time, unless otherwise stated in the signed contract. The writer’s fee might also be reverted to an hourly rate for the work completed.
Q: Will the ghostwriter help me publish and market my book or project?
A: Independent
ghostwriters will help you with the interviewing, research, writing, and
editing as a part of the project scope. It will be up to you to have any layout
and design, printing, and marketing and distribution done if you are
self-publishing a book project. Some may have contacts with agents or editors
within traditional publishing fields which they may share with you, but this
portion of the project is really up to you. This applies to books, business
materials, blogs, articles, and other types of ghostwritten material.
If you get your
ghostwriting services through a ghostwriting company, then these run the gamut
in the services they provide. Many will provide only the ghostwriting and all
the elements to get the manuscript completed while others offer a whole project
or book-in-a-box sort of experience. If you need the full line of services,
including turning a manuscript into a hardcopy book or printed document, then
you will want to check out Scribe’s
book publishing services, The Ghost
Publishing, or Premium
Ghostwriters.
Writing, regardless of the type of project, can be a daunting task. Not everyone has the skills and ability to take raw ideas, put them into written form, and make it successful. For anyone wanting to become an author of a book, novel, screenplay, article, or other types of content, hiring a ghostwriter can be the key to turning your ideas and knowledge into a published reality.
Every writer knows that the key to honing their craft is to
read, read, and then read some more. After all, the only way to know what good
writing looks like is to study the works of good writers.
So, in order to find out where our writers get their inspiration,
I sat down with some of the team from The Writers For Hire, to find out what nonfiction
books are on their “must reads” list.
Here’s what they said:
Language is a fascinating and ever-evolving thing. It has been said that the average person speaks upwards of 16,000 words per day. And the average book is somewhere between 50 and 100,000 words long. Yet, we rarely stop to think about the words we use and how they came to be.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of World War I, CNN published this thought-provoking article on the way that the war changed the way we talk, and the words that were added to our every-day vocabulary because of it.
From “cooties” and “dud” to “camouflage” and “chow,” we hope
that you find this article as interesting as we did!
One of the biggest challenges for a writer is the task of
trying to authentically write from the perspective of the opposite gender.
After all, it is nearly impossible for a woman to know exactly how a man would feel
in a certain situation, and vice versa.
While there are definitely some authors who are well skilled
at capturing the opposite sex, some are infamously known for their ridiculous
and sometimes overly stereotypical interpretations.
This fun article from ackward.com
explores this very issue, with their list of the top 15 mistakes that male
authors make when writing female characters.
You’ve put your heart and soul into your book,
and it is a great achievement to celebrate! But now that you have it completed,
what do you do with it? Your book is written and edited to perfection…now what?
Most likely, you will want to get it
published and have it become successful, whether to help you establish yourself
as an expert, teach others, entertain, or build your business or brand.
Now you need a publisher!
But, how do you go about contacting a
publisher who will publish your book? How do you find the right publisher for
your type of book? How do you submit it to them? What can you expect?
While you can certainly just look up the address of the big publishing houses and fire your book off to them, you’ll have a greater chance of successfully getting published if you take some time to follow these four easy steps and pitch to the right publishers.
Step 1: Identify the right type of publishers for your book
Over the years, the book publishing industry has changed a lot. With the start of many smaller, specialized publishers, e-publishing, and POD (print-on-demand) publishing, there are many options to getting your book published.
Most people have heard of the mainstream/traditional publishing houses (also known as trade publishers). Those are the ones that put major books in the bookstores, and many authors think of them when they want to market their book. Getting a book published by the likes of Penguin, Random House, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, or Macmillan Publishers (or one of these houses’ numerous imprints) can certainly raise an author’s marketability, possibly get them higher advances and sales, and increase their credibility. Here are some advantages and disadvantages to using a major publishing house:
PROS: These
large publishing houses produce a wide range of genres in both nonfiction and
fiction so you’re sure to find one that will publish the type of book you’re
marketing. They also have big budgets so there is a higher chance for larger
book runs, substantial advances, increased marketing budgets, and help
marketing your book. If you’re writing a book to position yourself as an expert
or to build you or your company’s brand, this option gives you the leverage to
do that.
CONS: Even
though these types of publishers publish more books than smaller presses, there
is more competition to get noticed and accepted by a publisher. And there is no
guarantee your book will sell or that you’ll get help marketing your book. In
fact, you will likely be expected to do most of the marketing yourself unless
you’re already an established author. You’ll also find it harder to receive
personalized attention and service, due to the volume of authors they work with
each year.
While most
authors dream of publishing with the “big boys,” there are other options to
getting your book published and out to the marketplace.
Small or independent publishers – While it might
sound prestigious to publish with the larger companies, smaller or “indie”
publishers are more prevalent, which gives you a greater chance of getting
published. Not only can they give you the same outcome – a professionally
published book – but they can also provide you with a long-lasting partnership and
more individual attention.
PROS: These publishing companies are smaller, publishing fewer titles than the larger publishers, so there is not as much competition for the editor’s time and attention. This means personalized attention will be paid to your project and editorial focus on some of the finer details of your book. Plus, there is not as much pressure to sell copies quickly.
CONS: Being smaller, these companies
purchase fewer books and have smaller marketing budgets. You might, depending
on your book, get very little in the way of marketing support and be expected
to do the marketing yourself. They also offer smaller advances than the larger
publishing houses and might offer smaller or shorter print runs.
Academic publishers – Many of the larger and
more prestigious colleges and universities have their own publishing arm.
Examples of these are Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and
Princeton University Press. While the major trade publishers publish books for
the general public, academic publishers produce scholarly and research books
for students (academic, professional, and school titles).
PROS: Due to the nature of the topics these publishers handle, you will find less competition to get your book sold. If your book falls along these academic lines, publishing in this field can increase your credibility greatly and enhance your career, if that is your focus. As many also rely on peer reviews for publishing, you can be assured your work will get a thorough review by experts in your focus area.
CONS: Many academic and scholarly books require some form of peer review or editorial panel to qualify a book for publication. This means your work has to go through several people before reaching the acceptance process, rather than a single editor. Not all peer reviews are equal, and selection standards for publishing can vary greatly between publishers and within varying fields of study. Also, these types of publishers don’t produce as many books, especially as many universities continue with budget cuts.
Self-publishing and print-on-demand (POD) publishers
– Not that long ago in publishing, it was hard to gain any sort of credibility for
an author who self-published their own book. It was known as “vanity
publishing” because an author actually paid what could be a large fee to a
“vanity press” to publish their book, rather than being paid by a publisher to
produce it. However, with the increase in popularity of e-books, digital
marketing, and easier print services, it’s become more common for authors to
self-publish their books, helping them gain a platform for their work without
losing credibility.
PROS: By self-publishing a book, you can have complete control of the writing, editing, layout, publishing, and marketing of your work. As technology has gotten better, much of what is done to prepare your book, such as layout, typesetting, and cover design, is done online instead of manually. This helps cut the costs of printing. Books can even be produced as they are ordered so you don’t have to have a large costly print run or store the books before they are sold. Plus, you get to keep 100 percent of your profits when you sell your books versus the average 10 percent you receive from a publisher.
CONS: While costs have come down from
what they used to be, there are still costs associated with getting your book
set up and printed when you self-publish. You can hire a company that will do
all the layout and design services, but you will still be in charge of the
whole project. You’ll also have to handle your marketing, finding creative ways
to promote your book among the huge volume of them already being marketed. And,
if you don’t go with a POD publisher, you will have to stock and keep track of
your book inventory, as well as create a good system for sales, bookkeeping,
and tax purposes.
Step 2: Find the right publishers for your book
Now that you have an understanding of the types of publishers out there, you can narrow your search by category and begin to identify which one is right for you. The first step is to discover exactly who the traditional publishers or self-publishing companies are in your category.
Certainly, you can head over to Google and do a quick search for publishing houses. But, by far, your best research tool out there to find traditional trade book publishers is the Writer’s Market by Writer’s Digest. While it is subscription-based with a cost, the fee is nominal and well worth the money with either a monthly, six-month, or annual subscription. A Writer’s Market hardcopy or Kindle download can also be purchased from Amazon, and they also offer directories in specific book genres.
The Writer’s
Market provides a full directory of trade book and magazine publishers, and their
list is updated in real time. It includes all the necessary information
including contact information, names of editors, type of publisher, types of
books they publish, and how they want to receive submissions. It is a wealth of
information that will save you time in the process with its search features.
Another great way to find the right information on where to submit your book is by looking at published books that are similar to yours. Check the copyright or imprint page for the name and address of the publisher, then turn to the dedication or acknowledgment pages, as they often mention the names of the editors and agents who worked with the author.
You can also
look at the author’s website or the publisher’s website to gather more contact
information.
Step 3: How to submit your book to the right publishers
How you submit your manuscript will depend
on how you want to publish your book and will vary from publisher to publisher
and company to company.
To self-publish, contact the
self-publishing companies you’ve identified you might want to work with. Review
their websites to learn what their process is for publishing books and what
they can do for you. Research what they charge and what services and terms they
offer. Call the company and interview them so you make sure to get the right
fit for you and your book.
For traditional trade publishing, some
publishers will not accept unsolicited requests except through an initial query
letter. Some publishers will only accept a proposal or manuscript through a
literary agent. Others will request a book proposal be sent.
It is very important to follow their guidelines.
Publishers and editors are busy people and get hundreds of unsolicited manuscripts.
You do not want to waste their time or be ignored simply for not following
their guidelines. Never be the exception to the publishers’ rules!
When you research various publishers within
the directories, they will list out all the information on the format for submission,
what to include, who and where to send it to. Following each publishers’
guidelines carefully will set you well above the competition in getting the
editor’s attention.
Always make
your submission concise, memorable, relevant, and respectful. Create your hook,
describe your book’s genre, the key problem it addresses, how your book will
solve this problem, and what makes your book different from the competition.
And, while it might seem counterproductive, if you already have a finished manuscript, you will still need to write a query letter and, in most cases, a book proposal to submit. It would be a very rare case to send in a finished manuscript with your first contact with a publisher. Editors have limited time and will not have the luxury of sitting down and reading your book in full. They just want the guts of what your book is about and what it has to offer.
How to craft your best query letter
A query letter introduces you and your book idea to a potential editor. Its sole purpose is to grab the editor’s attention with just enough information to make them say, “Yes! Send more!”
Your letter
should get the editor excited about your idea while also being professional,
intriguing, and concise. It is a chance for the editor to evaluate your book
idea without having to spend a lot of time reading the whole manuscript, and
discover right away if your book is a good fit for them.
It is best to
keep this “sales pitch” to only one page of 400 words or less. The letter
should contain three sections: the hook that draws the editor in, a short
synopsis of your book, and your author’s biography. As you are pitching a
nonfiction book, you can also include brief information regarding the target
audience, if you have space in the letter.
Always follow the proper format for your query letter, and always send it directly to the appropriate editor by name and title. Most publishing houses will have numerous editors that handle various genres of books. If you aren’t sure which editor handles your specific genre, simply call the publisher and ask. This will ensure your query gets into the hands of the person who can say, “YES!”
How to craft your best book proposal
Why would you
need to create a book proposal if you’ve already written the full book?
When self-publishing your book, you will certainly need your full manuscript completed to move on in the publishing process. However, if you are looking to publish your book with a traditional publisher, the standard process is to only submit a book proposal. These publishers won’t review the full manuscript but will potentially purchase your book based on a synopsis and sample chapters.
Even if a
publisher only wants a query letter on initial contact, it is still a smart
idea to draft a book proposal so it is ready to send off as soon as an editor
asks to see more.
Why should
they, the publisher, buy and publish your book? What makes your idea a good and
salable book? Your book proposal is your convincing argument to get them to
invest in your manuscript and pay you for it.
The length of a book proposal can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your book. Most proposals run from 15 to as many as 50 double-spaced pages with sample material and are written using a standard and expected format. You should always include a cover letter introducing your book and yourself as the author. The proposal should also include a synopsis of the book, the table of contents or outline, information about the competition, similar published books, marketing and promotion information, an author’s biography, and sample chapters.
A solid book
proposal will cover exactly what the book is about, why you are the ideal
person to write the book, who will buy it, and how you will address your topic.
Step 4: Tracking your submission and the pros and cons of simultaneous submissions
When you start
to submit your book to publishers or agents you don’t want to forget who you
sent it to and when. It’s never good to hound an editor or follow up too soon. Within
the directory of publishers, you’ll find that most will list what their
response time is on submissions.
Creating a
simple spreadsheet will help you keep track of all the submissions you make. By
including the publishing company, editor’s name, address and phone number, when
you sent your query letter or proposal, and the expected response time, you can
easily see which editors responded back, what their response was, and who you
still need to follow up with for an answer.
If you’re
submitting to just one book publisher or agent at a time, then tracking will be
a simple process. But what about simultaneous submissions, sending your book to
more than one publishing house at a time?
Some book publishers and agents are open to this process; others are not. This information should also be found within the publishing directories. Always follow their rules and guidelines. Whether or not you choose to submit to only one editor at a time or many is up to you, but be open and upfront with them. While you don’t have to tell them who else you’re submitting to, if you are making simultaneous submissions, let each editor you are doing so. Also, let them know if or when your book has been accepted by another editor.
A word about literary agents
So, do you
really need a literary agent or can you get your book published with a
publisher all on your own? Isn’t it easier to cut out the middleman?
This really
depends on where you pitch your book.
Many
publishers, especially the smaller presses, will accept unsolicited submissions
and evaluate your idea based on a good query letter and/or book proposal.
Others, like the bigger publishing houses, only accept submissions through a
reputable agent.
While hiring an
agent adds one more step in the process of getting your book into the hands of
your readers, and requires you to pay a commission, there are many advantages.
A good agent
knows the publishing process and has inside knowledge of publishing houses,
editors, and what they are buying. They also lend credibility to your work as
they have vetted your idea before approaching busy and overwhelmed editors. They
act as the go-between for you and the publishing house, helping with contract
negotiations and potential larger advances. They can also help you improve your
book proposal even before you approach a publisher.
A good agent
can definitely be an asset as they have the knowledge and contacts to get you noticed.
Now’s the time!
While it may seem like a long and daunting task to get your nonfiction book into the hands of your audience, it is a very worthy cause to see your book in print! Odds are you will have to pitch to many publishing companies and their editors before you will find one to say, “YES!” However, if you follow the steps outlined above, you will find the process should give you faster and easier results.
If you needed to find a specific document on your computer,
in less than a minute, could you do it?
Consider this scenario: You are sitting at your desk, hard at work on your team’s latest project, when the boss walks in with a panicked look on her face. She needs the final version of a new-business pitch for a former client that was written before you joined the company. And, she needs it for the conference call that is starting right now.
Locating that specific document could possibly take forever–certainly longer than the boss’ conference call will last. Where is it filed? Is it under the client name or in the new-business section of the shared drive? Is version number three the final or just a draft?
You can avoid this workplace disaster with a good file
naming convention. Having a unified process for naming everything from word
documents to photo files can save you hours of digging around. Choosing smart
file names will help you find what you need, simply and quickly.
Why is File Naming Important?
Simply put, so you can find your stuff. Creating a streamlined system allows co-workers to easily locate files, even if the file’s creator has left the company.
It’s easy to “save as” a generic file name when you are in a hurry, but that will set you up for difficulties later on. Don’t be tempted to name a document something along the lines of agenda.doc just because you need to get it saved quickly and figure you can correct it later. Realistically, agenda.doc will never be renamed, and if you need to reference it in the future, good luck finding it.
With a good system, you can identify the contents and version of the document from the file name, without even opening it.
Without a unified, office-wide naming system, you end up with an incoherent mess in your file folders. Can you figure out which one of these is the final document?
To determine which one is the final version, you would need
to open each document, check the last modification date and hope for the best.
Not a great system.
Steps to Create a New Naming System
Naming, renaming, and organizing files is a big undertaking, but well worth your time. Start by establishing your own system, and then apply it to your existing documents. Here are some suggestions for working through the process:
Establish a format for naming new files
Test for ease-of-use and accuracy
Rename old files
Group files into folders
Naming New Files
Good file names should accomplish 2 things:
Identify the contents of the document without
opening it
Allow for easy identification when using the
computer search function
This is not a one-size-fits-all process; name your files to
match how people in your company would logically search for documents. The most
important part of your file name should appear first, followed by supporting information.
This will vary by company, but the overarching way you divide up your work
should take the lead in each document’s name.
File names should be easy to read, explanatory, and consistent. The whole point is to make it easier to find and group documents, so create a naming template that displays the information your specific company needs. David Brooks, editor of MacSparky blog and author of Paperless, gives this directive:
Pretend future you will be drunk or senile (or both) when looking at these filenames and make the name easy to understand.
What’s most important for your company? Here are some common
ways to begin a file name:
Client name
Project name
Date
Case number/file number
Let’s use an advertising agency as an example. Ad execs
group their work by client, so dividing documents into client-name folders would
be the logical place to start. Within each client folder, the file names might
include descriptors for things like ad campaign, medium and date.
Our example ad agency probably has a list of clients with
multiple ad campaigns and media, spread across different dates. Within each
campaign they may have documents for copy, media placement, production, etc.
The challenge is finding a way to include all of the important identifiable
components, in a file name that isn’t too long.
For example, let’s say the ad agency created a comprehensive branding campaign for client ABC. The campaign encompasses radio, television, and outdoor advertising. They might consider using names like these and placing all of the documents into a folder labeled ClientABC:
The specific campaign appears first in the file name, which
makes it easy to search the documents. Next, including the media identifier
helps to sort among the various projects for this campaign. Finally, using a
date is always a good idea for quick identification.
Watch Out for Common Pitfalls
Keep in mind that not all software programs recognize the
same keyboard characters. For example, some allow spaces in file names; some do
not. To ensure that your file name will function across multiple systems, you
need to stick to some standard formatting guidelines.
Don’t Use Spaces
Labeling a file client abc case study.doc is not a good idea, because even if your current software allows for spaces, a different program your company may use in the future might not. If that happens, then you can’t open the file. Consider some other options:
Run all of the copy together: clientabccasestudy.doc or ClientABCCaseStudy.doc
Use underscores: client_abc_case_study.doc
Use dashes: client-abc-case-study.doc
Don’t Use Special Characters
Certain software allows some of the
special characters, but it is not consistent across all platforms. It’s best to
avoid these altogether in your file names: ~ ` ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) [ ] { }
< > “ ‘
Use Leading Zeros
Leading zeros ensure that files
sort in the proper order. Adam
Pode, research director with Staffing
Industry Analysts, recommends using leading zeros when naming files in a
sequential numbering system.
“To maintain the numeric order when file names include numbers it is important to include the zero for numbers 0-9. This helps to retrieve the latest record number. i.e. 01, 02 … 99.” – Adam Pode
Keep Date Formats Consistent
Similar to leading zeros, proper
date formatting is essential to keeping files in the correct order. Labeling
dates with the year first ensures the files will sort chronologically. Depending
on how detailed your dates are, you can use these formats: YYYYMMDD, YYMMDD or
YYMM.
Version Control
If there is only one version of each document, the naming
process is fairly straightforward. But, in reality, documents go through
multiple revisions and edits, and when they pile up it’s hard to know which one
is the final.
Resist the temptation to include the word “draft” in your file names, because it’s too vague when trying to follow the sequence of versions. Instead, label with numbers. Going back to the ad agency example, here is a way they could label multiple versions of the case study document:
By using a consistent version numbering system, you can
easily see which documents are earlier drafts, and which is the final version.
Test for Ease-of-Use and Accuracy
You now have a file naming convention, but does it work?
Nonprofit information technology and management organization, Huridocs, recommends this
test to determine the effectiveness of your system:
“Imagine if you take all your files from your whole organisation, and put them into one single folder. Can you still quickly filter down to what you want by scrolling through the file list? Or by searching for elements of file names? If the answer is yes, your file naming is good. If not, your file naming still needs some work.”
Renaming Old Files
Now that you have created your file naming convention and
tested its accuracy, it’s time to rename the older files. The task of renaming
years’ worth of earlier files may be impossible. If it’s too daunting, just put
everything into yearly-labeled archive folders.
If you have a large number of files with similar file names
(for example, photo files), you can use batch-file renaming software to speed
up the process. The software allows you to input parameters, and they
automatically rename your files in a consistent manner. Check out these
options:
Computer-file folders are basically digital filing cabinets.
In the days when everything was on paper, how did you organize them into the
office file cabinets? Whatever format makes sense in the print world also holds
true in the digital space.
EZ
Computer Systems, an IT-support company, explains why organized folders are
important. They offer this advice:
“Imagine walking into a grocery store. Now imagine that there are no sections, no aisles and no organization. There’s apples next to the pasta sauce, frozen pizza in front of the cereal, and you’re just trying to buy some bread and milk… chaos! That’s what your computer files are like with no organization.”
The Process of Organizing Folders
Just like with file naming, file organizing can take on many forms. What works for one company doesn’t make sense for another, so spend some time thinking about how your workflows and get advice from co-workers.
Remember: not everyone thinks like you do, so make it a group project to create a system that works for everyone.
Try to keep things simple and easy to follow. If the filing
template is too complicated, people will just give up and file things anywhere
they please. Picture an old-school flow chart. The largest item is at the top,
and the components flow, logically, into various groups underneath.
Tips for Getting Organized
Use a shared drive on the company network
Keep your files out of the “My Documents” folder. Be sure that everyone is using a backed-up shared drive, so that the files are in one central location and accessible to all. Having the whole company access files in the same place ensures that different versions of documents aren’t floating around somewhere on individual computers.
Decide how you want to group your folder
This decision is a big one. Again, think about how your company handles workflow to decide what the top-level folder should be. Two of the most common are category and date.
Looking back to our example ad agency, they file everything beginning with client name, so category folders are a good choice. With one folder for each client, they can keep documents over any period of time and have subfolders for different aspects of the client account.
Other companies may choose to group folders by date. You may prefer to have your top folders each labeled as a year: 2019, 2018, 2017, etc, with project subfolders underneath.
Create logical subfolders
Once you decide how to break up
the files into the top level of folders, the next step is to assign subfolders.
Under the ad agency’s folder “Client ABC,” there might be subfolders for
campaign, writing, design, media, production, or whatever logical grouping of
folders works for them.
Play around with various
combinations of subfolders until you find a structure that works for your
company. Generally, the more subfolders you have, the easier it is to retrieve
your documents.
Here are a couple of good visual images from Chelsea Beck with workflow automation company, Zapier. She demonstrates how you might divide up your files into folders, including subfolders. Beck recommends nested folders, whih “generally make it easier to find specific files later, because you don’t have to sift through all your files at once.”
Here’s what it looks like on the computer screen:
Now That You Have a Naming and Filing System…What’s Next?
Even though
you have already tested the usefulness of your file names, the real test comes
when the system rolls out to the whole company. Once everyone is using the
system, check for weaknesses or problems with files and folders so you can
adjust accordingly.
Create a Cheat Sheet
A filing system is only effective if people use it. Consider
crafting a document that explains the whole system, and have co-workers refer
to it when naming new files.
Review Effectiveness
They say nothing lasts forever, and this is true of naming
and filing systems. As the company grows and evolves, the system may become
less effective. While it’s important to adhere to the process, check in to see
if people are having difficulty. Maybe the file names are getting too long, or
a new set of documents doesn’t really fit into the folder groupings. Be open to
revising the system periodically.
You may consider finding outside help to come up with
descriptive filenames that make sense and will keep you organized. Having
someone from outside of your company assist in the process can provide a
different perspective, and offer workable solutions.
Amazon Author Rank is a listing of the top 100 titles overall or the top 100 titles in a browsing category. A book’s “Product Details” section is where it lists its Amazon Bestsellers Rank. A #1 means that the title is selling more copies than any other in that category, on that storefront.
You see, this internet giant has localized storefronts around the globe, all with their own URLs, selection, and prices:
And this is an important distinction: A book’s ranking can differ on different localized storefronts because each store represents a different market. As an example, even within North America, these ranks can vary: At the time of this writing, Oprah Winfrey’s “Path Made Clear” topped both the US and Canadian stores, but #2 through #4 were completely different.
By the 1 p.m. calculation, people were more interested in the future than either cleanliness or death:
How Does Amazon Rank Authors?
To calculate a book’s rank, Amazon looks at paid sales of all formats recently sold Amazon.com, including print, Kindle, and audio. And we’re talking uber-recent: Amazon updates this ranking hourly, at the top of the hour, and adjusts as things change.
Ultimately, though, landing on the bestseller list might not
mean a whole lot in terms of your book’s actual popularity – or its actual sales.
Let’s first point out that Amazon doesn’t openly explain exactly
how the Bestsellers Rank is calculated. It’s allegedly recalculated hourly to
reflect the number of recent sales, but its algorithm also takes into account
some unknown historical sales data relative to similar titles. Because Amazon
doesn’t publicize its formula, how those two factors are weighted remains an
enigma.
Additionally, WebRetailer.com
has noticed that Amazon’s metrics are not real-time: “There is a lag time of
approximately 1-3 hours (depending on the popularity of the product) from when
a sale is made and when it is reflected” in the ranking.
Also, the ranking metrics don’t really account for
cumulative sales or overall sales volume, mainly just how well a title is
currently selling (or has been selling for the past hour) compared to similar
books. A recent sales spike typically pushes that title’s rank higher… at least
for the current hour or day until another surpasses it.
“The Amazon Best
Sellers Rank is more of a vanity metric than anything else,” says Dave Cooley,
Marketplace Channel Analyst at CPC Strategy.
Why Do I Care About Amazon’s Rank?
There’s a definite status symbol associated with earning
bestseller distinction: You are as a credible thought leader whose work is
superior to others. And that must be the case because the market doesn’t lie.
Or does it?
Brent
Underwood, a partner at a marketing company, compiled a list of some of the
“services” he discovered in early 2017… if you’re willing and able to shell out
a pretty penny. A couple seem to have since ceased operations (and you’ll
probably find a plethora of others willing to “help you”), but this gives you a
feel for what professional book promoters are pushing.
Jesse Krieger could map out your “Bestseller Campaign Blueprint” to grant your book a slot on the Amazon Best-Seller Lists “next to your author heroes” for just $997.
“Guaranteed Best-Seller Status” on Amazon could be yours from Heart Centered Media for three easy installments of $1,333” (accompanied by the caveat that “Book Sales are NOT Guaranteed”).
Learn the secrets of launching your Amazon bestseller, worth $2,497, from self-proclaimed “Best-Seller Maker / Millionaire Author Mentor Peggy McColl.
“Open doors otherwise closed to you” by paying Denise Cassino a cool $3,250 for services that will ensure your Amazon bestseller status in perpetuity.
Sound expensive? Sketchy? Too good to be true? Remember,
these “services” only exist because there’s a market for them. But Underwood
implores writers to avoid the lure of these “services” and the allure of
bestseller lists.
“The best marketing tactic you can use for a book is to write a great book that actually sells over the long term. It’s easy to be seduced by bestseller lists, sales numbers, speaking fees, and all the ephemera in this industry. Don’t let all of that make you lose sight of the importance of quality and authority in your work,” Underwood says.
And remember, Amazon Author Rank is based solely on sales through
the Amazon stores. It says nothing about how much your readers love your work. Even
if they share glowing reviews about how your book changed their lives, Amazon
doesn’t factor that into the rank equation. Sure, while a ton of gushing
reviews might help boost your sales – which might result in pushing you up the
ranking – these kind words do more to boost your spirit.
But maybe that should be more important. To the writer in you,
at least.
Tim Hawkins is the author of the bestselling If Kisses Cured Cancer. After looking into the mythos of the bestseller list, he reasoned, “Perhaps it’s a better measure to ignore the lists altogether, focus more on what actual fans are saying about the book and work to create something that people love instead. It’s nice to (be) featured on the lists, but it no longer means a lot to me knowing it’s only a tiny snapshot of an overall picture.”
It has been scientifically proven that learning something new every day can improve both your brain function and your overall well-being. After all, our brains are muscles, and just like all other muscles, they must constantly be used and strengthened. Whether it be through learning a new language or working on becoming a better writer, it is imperative that we keep challenging our brains every day.
It has been found that exercising our brains comes with all sort of positive side effects, including staving off diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. It can also help to make us happier, by helping us build confidence and a better sense of self-esteem.
But, how can we make sure that we are constantly learning
new things and challenging our brains? Well, this great forum from reddit has the perfect
solution! Each day, the forum provides new posts full of interesting
information that readers have learned that day. You can go in and read about their newfound
knowledge and, in turn, learn something new yourself.
As an added bonus, you can sharpen your writing skills (and further boost your brain power) by posting all of the new things you have learned lately!
