Guidebooks, restaurant reviews, advice for backpacking and luxury vacations alike…to most people, this is what springs to mind under the travel writing umbrella. And, of course, the notorious narratives by Paul Theroux, Bruce Chatwin, and other famous travel authors. Educational travel writing, however, is a niche that fewer people are familiar with…
In your response to the letter you received regarding a person who can’t understand why no agent or publisher is interested in his/her self-published book, you didn’t mention the fact that the book is already considered “published.” Most, if not all, agents and publishers steer clear of already published books. There are rare–very rare–cases when they will take one on.
(WRONG, SAYS ANGELA)
Also, most self-published books aren’t up to par– grammar, spelling, or interest-wise–of what traditional (commercial) publishers sell. Anyone with some money can self-publish; agents and publishers have seen too many that are not well-written.
(RIGHT, SAYS ANGELA)
As for marketing, that is not entirely true either. (Commercial) publishers don’t up-front ask what a writer will do to market their book. First and foremost is a very well-written, intriguing manuscript.
(ABSOLUTELY WRONG, SAYS ANGELA)
Best,
Anne
Hi Anne,
I must disagree with you. There are many cases now of traditional publishers giving self-published authors contracts because sales of the self-published version have been proven. At BookLocker.com, we’ve lost several authors over the years because of this fact. We just lost another one who was offered a $20K advance from a NYC publisher. Before he signed the contract, I referred him to my literary agent, who then managed to get him an even higher amount from another traditional publisher. It’s not just BookLocker authors who are landing traditional contracts, either.
Click HERE to see an article I wrote back in 2007 about some BookLocker authors who landed traditional contracts. I haven’t updated the list since then but there are many more now.
I agree many self-published books are horrible but it would be ludicrous to say a book is horrible just because it’s self-published. There are many very good self-published books on the market.
Many traditional publishers do indeed ask authors up front for marketing and promotional plans and some even ask the authors to provide them with an analysis of competitive books. And, those publishers then expect unknown authors to perform most, if not all, of those marketing activities.
Click HERE for an example of one author who was asked last month for his marketing plan.
Angela
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Looking for a new way to help market your local history book?
Signings are all very well, but have you considered doing a slide show for local retirement homes and assisted living facilities?
Only a month ago, I told you about Mason (age 4) logging into ebay.com and buying stuffed animals for himself. Just last week, I told you about Mason terrifying us when he hid under the kitchen table, resulting in a phone call to 9-1-1. I probably should have given birth to this one when I was MUCH YOUNGER!
Anyway, Mason doesn’t yet *appear* to understand the concept of money, or buying, or anything like that. However, I think he may be practicing selective comprehension because he definitely does understand which buttons he needs to push on an iPad or iPhone with the end result being the mailman delivering a box to him…
Tempted to sign up with one of those POD publishers that are claiming to be FREE? Think again! If you’re a graphic designer and you can layout your book on your own, and if you can create a professional and original book cover on your own, too, and if you want to severely limit your book’s availability (and salability), that’s one thing. But, if you want to get your book published for “free”, in some cases you can forget about having an ISBN (which online and brick and mortar bookstores and libraries require), forget about being distributed by Ingram, the largest book distributor, and forget about a lot of other things as well…
Letters will return next week.
I have written to several (well, a lot, to be honest) publishers and agents about my self-published books, and the response is always the same; interesting, but not for me …
I was under the impression that self-publishing would prove beneficial in approaching a traditional publisher if the story was intact.
When I first published my historical novel, I promoted it full steam ahead. I garnered reviews from small-town papers (including my home town, which gave a huge article with pictures) and from authors writing on similar subjects. I hosted book clubs; spoke at venues around the country; and at libraries and bookstores here in New York City. I sold a few thousand copies, which is very good, I’m told, for a self-published book.
Then I eased up my efforts and focused on writing my next book…
Last Friday, it was 60 degrees here in Bangor, Maine, the warmest day we’ve had in four or five months. Despite the mud, all the kids went outside to play, including our adult kiddos. I was working in the living room on my laptop, and getting quite a bit done due to the quiet, when Max (age 9) ran in and said, “Is Mason in here?”
“WHAT?!” I squawked. “NO! WHERE IS HE?!”
Max said, “We don’t know!”…
Wow! That nice POD publishing house representative wants to hear “more about your book!” Is it finished yet? Did you have it edited? Are you going to included pictures? What’s your target market?