The New Author

by Ruby Barnes

A beginner’s guide to writing a novel, publishing as an independent ebook author and promoting your brand using social networks. With foreword by Jim Williams, author of ten internationally published novels including the Booker Prize nominated Scherzo. The New Author is an excellent piece of writing, combining deceptive simplicity, lucidity and a trick which in practice is very difficult to pull off. The book is also informed by considerable intelligence and analysis founded on firsthand experience. Barnes explicitly warns against the trap that engagement at the required level can become obsessive and time consuming, and in a couple of nice vignettes he makes his point with wit and style. The New Author is a terrific companion for independent e-publishing and I recommend it. There are at least three reasons why you might want to buy this 1. you want to be an author; 2. you have already written a novel and want to publish it as an ebook; 3. you want to promote yourself as an author. This book is a beginner’s guide on how to do the above. It isn’t a magic elixir for foolproof million copy marketing of your ebook. It is based upon the experiences of this author and a broad-based peer group. I have to warn you right now, this is not going to be an easy journey. Less of a country stroll, more of a trek up Kilimanjaro. The good news is that almost anyone can trek up Kilimanjaro with the right support, appropriate equipment and a positive attitude. See you at the top. The New Author is a non-fiction work of 44,000 words. What this book does and does not contain The scope of this edition is deliberately limited to basic novel writing guidelines, first practical steps in building and operating a social media platform for authors, and the process of epublishing a novel on Amazon KDP and other market channels via Smashwords. A list of recommended further reading is provided that covers the subject matter, should readers wish to delve deeper into these areas. This edition of The New Author does not contain a method approach to novel writing, advice on publishing in print or a prescriptive ‘silver bullet’ approach to ebook marketing. The internet is a labyrinth of blogs, websites and web-based tools. User interfaces are constantly being improved, upgraded and changed. No screenshots have been included in this book in order to avoid early obsolescence and to keep the format and page display simple and readable. Hyperlinks to the internet have not been used for similar reasons and to avoid accidental use by the increasing number of ereaders with touch screens. Contents Introduction Foreword Part 1 - writing a novel - Have you got what it takes? - The time, space, support continuum - The Rules - Plot and premise - Planning and structure - Characters - Narrative Voice - Tense - Settings – the six senses - Pace & structure - Dialogue – people will talk - Theme - metaphor - Language and grammar - Editing - Writing peer groups - Beta readers - Vignette 1 - Peer review; the blind leading the blind? Part 2 - Promoting your brand using social networks - Brand - Nom de Plume? - Content - the nitty gritty of your social network platform - Website / blog style - Search Engine Optimisation SEO for your blog / website - Facebook - Twitter - Reader groups - Other social ne

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

I'm an author and a reader. I write dark thrillers - Peril, The Baptist, The Crucible - and read thrillers and literary fiction.

I've pedalled the pushbike of life until the chain fell off. Now living in rural Ireland where the natives are friendly and the weather atrocious, I write crime fiction and thrillers.

Ruby's News is my mail list with freebies, pre-release info and other updates. As a welcome gift each new subscriber can choose a free e-copy of one of my books in their format of choice (epub, mobi, pdf). Go to my blog or http://eepurl.com/iNvvP to subscribe.

Reviews

[Deneé · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a good reads first reads. This is the first, first reads book, that I've given 5 stars, which is interesting since it is non-fiction. It is full of so much great information if you're thinking of writing and publishing, not just an ebook, but any book. It mainly consists of three parts: writing your novel, building a social media platform, and publishing an independent ebook. The author takes everything in a step by step process as he holds your hand through your journey, instilling wit and knowledge based on his own mistakes and successes. The New Author is told in a very personable aspect, which makes reading it enjoyable and easy to follow. I've tried reading some other books on how to be a better writer, but they all seemed too textbook-like and preachy. Granted I'm still floating in part one (writing my novel), but it was extremely informative on what I should be looking forward to do in respect to my commitment on finishing my book. The Top Ten Tips in the conclusion of the book really summarized and solidified the book for me. I'm actually looking forward to re-reading the book several times with a highlighter in hand. This book is a great aide and will be a great reference as I continue my own "Authorly" journey.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on my Sony eReader while on holidays – the only problem I had with that, was that I didn’t have a pen and paper handy to make notes!

This book is perfect for anyone who has a passion for writing. It is very well written and divided into three parts. I had only planned on reading the first two, which relate to writing tips and advice on how to promote your brand using social media, but was enticed into reading every word – and I’m so glad I did. Ruby includes excellent advice, as well as tips, on the drawbacks of not thinking through your whole approach to writing and branding, drawing on personal experience to highlight it all. There’s advice on what to include in your blog or website to draw readers and writers to your pages - but also advice on how to avoid the lure of social media sites in favour of writing – something I’m sure we’ve all done at one time or another.

I found the section on self-publishing a real eye-opener, with step-by-step instructions on how to strip your writing of all formatting so that it will appear perfectly on Amazon, Smashwords etc. Ruby advises on everything from pricing structures and how setting up a special offer on one platform can affect your pricing on another; to advice on how best to promote your work with the help of fellow authors and reviewers. It was something I had never considered before, but I’ve already recommended this book to a number of friends, who would benefit from this section alone, to promote their work to a wider audience.

I came away from this book feeling that I had garnered some very useful information which can only help me on the road to success . . .

[Tim Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are swathes of books offering advice to the aspiring author about to launch his/her book onto the e-market, ranging from the excellent (David Gaughran's 'Let's Get Digital') to the rather glib and opportunistic (John Locke's one). Few have provided such a broad yet sufficiently deep introduction as this one. Ruby Barnes, a successful ebook author in his own right (and therefore someone who knows what he's talking about) takes the reader through every step of the process of producing, publishing and marketing an ebook, offering his personal experiences with regard to what seems to work and what doesn't. It's all done with a good deal of wry and at times earthy humour, something that's often lacking in this kind of book.

This won't of itself make a bestselling author out of you. It might not even make you a success. But it's the sort of book I wish I'd taken the trouble to seek out and read before I embarked on my own epublishing journey. It guides you between the pitfalls so that you at least stand a chance.

Highly recommended.

[Samantha Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was perhaps the best book I have read on the subject of writing and publishing a book. The author's writing style was friendly and non-patronizing. It's amazing how many authors seem to feel the best way to encourage a new writer is to keep hammering home how hard it is and how they are writing this writing book because they are one of 'the few, the proud...' SO not the Marines!

This self-help book presupposed that, if you were reading it, you really wanted to write and publish a book, and set out to help you along the path to doing so. A big bonus!

I likes the author's sense of humour and enjoyed his chatty writing style

I recommend this book to all wannabe and new authors.

[Ricardo Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like the book. It was my first book on the subject and I believe I got a good picture of the writing process, the construction of a social network platform and, perhaps the least interesting component of the book, the publishing process. I did learn with this book. Above expectations. Not 5 stars because, oh well, perhaps I am just too selective and I reserve that prize for the best of the best.

[Maudie Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and informative with Ruby Barnes style and dry humour all through it.Gives a fresh take on social media and valuable advice on formating for Kindle and smashwords. Easy to read and follow even for a non techie like myself. It jerked me out of my lethargy and empowered me to pick up my pen again. I downloaded the free Kindle edition so I felt doubly lucky.

[Tabitha McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking little guidebook to writing, for all those serious about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and producing stuff that others are going to read. To-the-point, wryly amusing, and highly informative.

[Susan McCaskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, very helpful with lots of tips. Well worth the read.

[Lowri Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for any author dipping their toes in the murky waters of the writing world for the first time.

[Wise Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting.

[Ruby Barnes]

From Amazon, with permission:

This reminded me of a Delia Smith cookery book; clear step by step instructions coupled with fire-fighting which ensures you get it right.

A `must read' for any writer intending to go the indie route as it explains in great detail how to produce a high quality ebook, and establish both a brand and sales platform.

multi-story.co.uk

[Tarquilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some useful bits and pieces of advice.