Book Reviews discussion

Never skimp on anything. Hire an editor. Hire a graphic designer for your book cover. Edit/re-write multiple times. Have a few friends/fellow authors read it and offer constructive criticism.

The Pre-Publishing Process

I can't take credit for the following advice. The suggestions were learned from others, through trial and error, during my personal experience.

Prior to even thinking about being published, make sure that you have created something worthy of publication by doing whatever you can to minimize spelling, punctuation, grammatical and syntax errors.

Eliminate publishers in name only. There are books and magazines that provide lists of mainline publishers who can help you achieve your goal and a separate list of those that claim they can, but actually don't. Your local library is an excellent source.

Research and evaluate the publishing options - mainline publisher, self-publishing, or the independent route - then determine which is best-suited for you.

If you decide to send a query letter to some mainline publishers, do some investigative research first to determine which organizations are truly what they claim to be.

Eliminate the internet as a search tool for evaluating publishers. Industry statistics reveal that 97% of all submissions are rejected. Many people do not take rejection well. Some seek revenge by spending hours on websites and blogs defaming publishers who had the audacity to reject their work.

Never send a publisher an unsolicited manuscript. Most, if not all, are forwarded directly to the trash bin. Send a one-page query letter expressing your desire and providing a brief, yet enticing, overview of your book.

Whether or not you choose to accept this information and advice is your prerogative. There may be better options; seek them out.

I wish you success and, even more important, personal satisfaction.

Here's the link to a great article written by John Hunt of John Hunt publishing about alternative presses and self-publishing. Very illuminating:

http://www.theindependentpublishingma...

Glad you like it, Cyril!

Most authors hope to one day become commercially successful so that writing may be their sole career and provide for a reasonably comfortable lifestyle.

This is a worthy goal. Don't let anyone dissuade you from nurturing your dream. Some dreams do come true.

The dreams that come true are usually those that include hard work, study, practice, patience, perseverance and the occasional reality check.

That said; please allow me to share a bit of wisdom that comes with age and experience.

Life is no big thing. It is a thousand little things. Too often we hardly notice the thousand wonderful little things going on around us, some of which could have a profound impact upon our lives, because we are so focused upon waiting for that one big thing to happen.

By all means, follow your dream; it may come true. However, keep your options open, just in case it doesn't. Another dream may be just waiting for you to acknowledge its presence, recognize its potential, and be willing to perform the hard work, study, and the occasional reality check to make it come true.

Whatever future awaits you, I sincerely hope that it is bright and rewarding.

Jim - thanks. Real wisdom.

Thanks Jim. A good bit of advice, allowing one to dream but also steering them back to reality with the words, 'hard work, study, patience, practice, and perseverance'. That last word is so important and difficult to follow.