Charles’s Comments (group member since Mar 16, 2010)

Charles’s comments from the Q&A with Jacob's Courage author, Charles Weinblatt group.

I'll start. I've always loved to be frightened by books and films. Although I am published for historical fiction (Jacob's Courage) and a textbook for job seekers, my favorite genres are science fiction, horror fiction and fantasy.

Science fiction offers unlimited possibilities for character development, surroundings and environment. I also appreciate science fiction with a message about society (Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Red Planet, etc.). Science fiction allows the writer to create vastly differing life forms, plots, characters and situations, while preserving the opportunity to decry social ills and promote concepts such as tolerance, commitment and constructive solutions for societal tribulations.

Horror fiction allows the reader to step into and out of the most frightening events, all from the safety of the text. Most of us like a good scare once in a while. Horror fiction can take us to the edge of our seats with mendacious characters thwarted just in time by our excellent protagonist.

I also enjoy some fantasy, particularly those with well crafted stories and unforgettable characters (Tolkien, Lord of the Rings). Taking the reader into the realm of possibility is one of the best ways for an author to tell a rewarding story with extraordinary characters. I'll never outgrow the excitement.

Chuck

Darcia wrote: "CreateSpace has great templates to help you with cover designs. I've been very happy with them and I have a lot of fun with the designs. You have to find and purchase the photos you want elsewhere...."

Darcia, thanks for the terrific ideas about cover designs, stock photos and Create Space. For the self-published author, the author on a budget and for some trade-published authors, this information is very helpful.

You might be right about my publishing experience as lucky (my publisher was very willing to use my ideas for cover design and editing). As I continue to hear some horror stories about authors hijacked by unscrupulous publishers unwilling to compromise, I'm beginning to believe that I was fortunate to have a publisher willing to hear and use my ideas for cover design, editing and marketing.

This leads to the conclusion that there are all types of traditional publishers, from those willing to compromise with authors and reach consensus on all facets of publishing and marketing, to deceitful publishers whose goal is to rape the author for whatever monetary rewards might be obtained. In the end, it’s up to each of us to select the best publisher for each book, or to self-publish. The more knowledge we have, the better our choice will become.

While all of us want to have a successful book, not all of us have the best understanding of how to select the best publisher (or when to self-publish). This bears upon the purpose of our little Q&A. This is the best place to share information.

I wrote about my book publishing and marketing experiences at http://cweinblatt.wordpress.com/. What can the rest of you share about your experiences that might help writers comprehend the publishing and marketing industries?

In the absence of a trade-published book, the author should hire a cover designer. Some self-publishing companies have design options. But, frankly, the best graphic designers work for the best trade publishers. As with most aspects of life, "you get what you pay for." Without a traditional publisher, you'll need to find someone to design your cover. Sadly, many consumers judge a book by its cover. So, this is not a place to scrimp on cost. If cost is a constraint, seek out college and university students in graphic design. Some of them are very talented.


What are some other thoughts? Who designed your book covers? How did you decide jointly upon a cover? Or, did your publisher make the decision? What were the results? Has anyone, besides me, been able to use their own choice of designer?

Thanks Darcia. I was fortunate to have read Darcia's recent book, "Hit List." I'm not sure I ever finished a review that contained nothing I disliked. That's how good it is. That's how great an author Darcia is. What's next, Darcia? Care to descibe?

Darcia, I'm not sure that you lose a great deal of control with a traditional publisher or an agent. My 2007 Holocaust book, Jacob's Courage, was traditionally published and I maintained almost complete control over the cover, the length and editing. My daughter has designed books covers and my publisher allowed her to design my cover. While I might not be objective, I think it's the best current cover in the publishing house. My novel is 524 pages, which is much longer than most publishers are willing to consider. Yet, the only significant editing that my publisher requested was to remove some sexually graphic material. And, in doing so, my publisher made the book more marketable. In fact, it is now required reading for high school students in Ohio. So, either I had a very unusual experience with a trade publisher, or publishers really are willing to compromise over editing, length and cover design.

Finally, I agree with Darcia that the role of the traditional publisher is changing radically. I believe we'll soon see many hybrid publishers; companies that offer traditional and self-publishing opportunities. The advantages are many. Perhpas we'll see a merging of services that would enable an author to self-publish a book with global distribution included. This might logically extend to book tours, signings, catalog distribution and representation at international book fairs - services until now were reserved for traditional publishing contracts.

One thing about the future appears certain. Unless your name is King or Clancy, you're going to have to market your book, regardless of how it is published. Authors should get used to blogging, writing published articles and making the scene at social networking sites. Even trade-published authors will need to maintain their public platform.

Hi Darcia. It's nice to see you here. Welcome John. Thanks for joining our group.

Can either of you share something about how you write, what you write and how well it has been received? Would you like to hare anything with us about book marketing? What do you do to market and how often? How do you feel about self-publishing versus traditional publishing? All topics are welcomed. Feel free to add something different on your own.

Again, thanks for joining us here. We hope to hear from you soon.

Chuck

Have you tried the Association of Author's Rpresentatives (http://www.aaronline.org/)? How about Publisher's Marketplace ( http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/)? Another useful site is "Guide to Literary Agents," at http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/.... For listing of literary agents, I've seen http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/agents.... Also, consider Query Shark, http://queryshark.blogspot.com/.

There are multiple opportunities.

Fern wrote: "Interesting idea. Thanks. But as a business consultant, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with it. Maybe...Gotta think about it."

You could have a separate signature for book marketing, or use a different e-mail address (create a new G-Mail, Yahoo or Hotmail account) and use a custom signature there for your book marketing.

Most trade publishers will market for a year or two. After that, you will need to do most of it on your own. I dislike marketing. I would much rather spend the time writing. But, in today's world, authors must market or risk losing sales.

Fern, have you considered a video book trailer for any of your books? It seems like it would be fairly easy for someone like you (considering your sales and marketing expertise). Do you market the last two books (with the less-than-helpful publisher)? If so, in what way?

Also (Fern), what is your query approach for agents? Can you share your methodolgy or search parameters? Did you have an agent with your first books? What insight can you share?

I ended up with Mazo Publishers. Mazo specializes in Jewish and Holocaust books, including memoirs. Ironically, among several contract offers. their offer came along last. I'm glad that I was patient. They proffer a very nice royalty and Mazo did all of the heavy lifting (placed my book on all major Internet retailers and obtained some excellent, major reviews). Sometimes, patience is a virtue.

Such is life without a traditional publisher. You get to keep more profit, but you sacrifice the advantages of having a trade publisher (like having your book on bookstore shelves). I was willing to wait as long as it took to find a traditional publisher. Fortunately, that was only seven months. But, I would have waited years, if necessary.

Is life perfect with a trade-publisher? Not exactly. But, I'm happy with my decision. And, my publisher did all of the heavy lifting. Within weeks of publication, my book was on all of the major international retailers, including Amazon Japan and Amazon France.

My publisher promoted the book at international book fairs, with fax and e-mail blasts and with catalog distribution. And, my publisher enabled my book to achieve terrific reviews from some of the best international review sources. That allowed my book to reach places I would not have found on my own.

No, it's not perfect. Yes, I must still engage in a great deal of viral marketing on my own. But, authors must take matters into their own hands today regardless of how you are published.

Had my book been non-fiction, I would not have felt so desperate to find a traditional publisher. If I could have sold many copies on my own (as with my first non-fiction published book, in 1986), I would have had a more positive view of self-publishing. In the end, I'm pleased about being trade-published.

Chuck

Anna, speaking events, book tours, signings and all forms of media representation are terrific marketing tools and they help to create your author platform. Some people consider a video book trailer a "luxury." item. Yet, they start as low as $500. How many books would you need to sell to recover that cost?

The same applies to your web sites and blogs. But, to have your book on retail store shelves, it must be distributed (preferably globally). For example, my publisher contracted with Gardners & Bertrams for European distribution and with Ingram in the US. Self-published authors can also have their book distributed. And, it helps if your book is returnable. But, never discount the potential from your "door-to-door thing" and signings.

I've discovered that writing on major newspaper and magazine sites is very effective. For example, you can post comments at places such as The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Just find an article about which you have some knowledge or expertise. You can do this even if the article and your comment has nothing at all to do with your book. Then, sign your name with, "author of..." and then place your best web site under your book's title.

You might be surprised how many people will click on your book's web site, if your comments piqued their interest. Such sites (Wall Street Journal, NY Times, etc.) have millions of readers. Your comments are likely to reach at least several hundred thousand. Among them, you can expect at least a few dozen to click on your book's web page. That can turn into at least a few sales.

Best of luck to you Anna. And, thanks so much for paticipating. I hope that you will continue to help us here.

Chuck

Have you thought about a video book trailer? It can be posted on You Tube and any of dozens of author's web sites, including Amazon. Of course, you would want to far exceed costs with sales. Just a thought.

Fern wrote: "Hi Charles,

After five non-fiction books, I've switched to fiction. My new book is a caper with a twist. A blend of action comedy and sudsy drama, YOU HAVE TO CRACK LEMONS stars a well-heeled c..."

Hi Fern. Thanks for writing. You Have to Crack Lemons sounds very interesting. Is it published yet? Where can we purchase it? Tell us more about your non-fiction books. What do you like/dislike about writing fiction, compared with non-fiction? Were your non-fiction books published traditionally, or self-published? What do you do to market your books?

Chuck

Anna wrote: "
King by Right of Blood and Might

It's about a young man, a prince. His father is a paranoid recluse, and under his rule the cou..."

Thanks Anna. Your book sounds terrific. Are you still writing? What are working on now? And, what have you been doing to promote Right of Blood & Might?

Chuck

Anna wrote: "Hello, My name is Anna. I have self-published one book and hope to publish more soon."

Hi Anna. It's nice to see you again. Thanks for stopping by. Please tell us about your book!