Checklist 21 – Researching Publishers
These days the field is wide open for authors. Once, writers used to make a list of possible (traditional) publishers for their manuscript, and work through them, hoping someone would say 'yes'. These days you have far more choice: you can query traditional publishers, use a POD (Print on Demand) publisher, or become your own publisher on sites like Amazon Kindle, CreateSpace, Lulu and Smashwords. Here are some tips on how to find a publisher that’s right for you.
# Go to a library or an online bookstore and start making a list of publishers of your preferred genre (or genres).
# Subscribe to well-known publishing newsletters that tell you what publishers are buying.
# Consider signing up for a subscription to a Writer’s Marketplace. (There are various options in different countries.)
# Spend time on writing and publishing forums to find out what people are saying about various publishers. Also try social networking sites like LinkedIn and GoodReads.
# Check out both traditional publishers and e-publishers online. Note submission requirements. Note the names of editors who take submissions.
# Check to see if the publisher has a downloadable publishing guide.
# Note which publishers will take submissions only from agents.
# Check out the options for independent publishing online. (Some well-known platforms are Amazon Kindle, CreateSpace, Smashwords, Lulu and a few others. There are many smaller ones. Do a search for 'independent publishers' and similar terms.)
# Ascertain your rights as an author. (Can you publish somewhere else if it doesn't work out? Do you retain digital rights? Will you have input into the cover design?)
# Check out options for marketing, distributing and selling your book. (Will the publisher do all the work? Are you expected to help with promotion - or to do ALL the promotion?)
# Decide whether you want to submit your manuscript to a traditional publisher or an e-publisher that handles formatting and distribution, or whether you want to go it alone as an indie (independent) author.
# Research costs carefully. A traditional publisher pays and advance plus royalties but doesn't ask for money upfront. A co-publishing venture may ask you to share upfront costs. As an independent publisher you pay any NECESSARY costs yourself. If you are e-publishing with (for example) Amazon, you may have to pay nothing at all if you do the formatting and cover design yourself.
# Check the publisher’s reputation. Ask in forums or do an online search [PUBLISHER’S NAME + SCAM]. If the publisher has been accused of running a scam it will probably show up somewhere.
# When you are satisfied that you have found the right publisher for you, set up a plan for either submitting to that publisher or publishing your book yourself.
Checklist 22 – Writing a Synopsis
You may not need to worry about writing a synopsis if you are publishing your own book. However, most authors use various forms of a synopsis to help promote or sell their books. Some authors use a 'working synopsis' as an aid to plotting: this kind of synopsis changes as the story develops. Basically, a synopsis is a summary of your book, in the TONE of your book.
# Do you tell the whole story in an entertaining way? (A synopsis is a sales tool as well as a story summary.)
# Does the tone of the synopsis reflect the tone of your book?
# Does the opening paragraph hook the reader and immediately interest him/her in the story?
# Have you included the ending? (A synopsis is not the same as a book blurb, which 'hooks' the reader without giving away the main plot points or the ending.)
# Do you clearly identify the lead character(s) and what their goals/problems are?
# Will the reader relate to your characters and want to read their story?
# Does each paragraph flow logically and entertainingly to the next?
# Have you hit the high points of the story, showing the main scenes and major conflicts, without getting lost in the minor plot points?
# Does the reader have an overall sense of how everything unfolds and how everything is resolved - or has something vital been left out?
# Have you written your entire synopsis in the present tense?
# Have you checked your synopsis to ensure there are not mistakes with spelling, grammar and punctuation?
# Have you used paragraphs effectively? (No large, dense chunks of text!)
# Have you avoided all grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes?
# Have you written your synopsis in different lengths, ready for different purposes? (You may be sending your synopsis to different people for different reasons - when you want them to read a review copy, arrange a radio interview, etc. Practice writing a synopsis in these lengths: half a page, one page, two pages.)
Checklist 23 – Publishing on Kindle
Check the Kindle Direct Publishing site (KDP) regularly for any changes in policy, upload instructions, etc. Use the checklist below as a guide, and update when necessary.
# When your story is finished (including the final edit and polish) format it ready to upload to Kindle. Keep formatting simple. Avoid bulleted lists, headers, footers, page numbers or fancy fonts.
# Use Word Styles and use Heading 1 for chapter titles, Heading 2 for sub-titles and Heading 3 for sub-sub titles. You can use 'indent' for a list, but indent it only a few characters (Change this in the Word settings; don't just hit the space bar.)
# If necessary, do some online training/research on the Microsoft site to learn how to use Styles.
# Create or commission the cover for your book. Make sure your book has a professional cover! (Take a look on Amazon's bestseller list to see what you're up against.)
# Use page breaks, not hard returns. Start each chapter on a new page. (You can refer to the Microsoft site to learn how to include a page break with a Heading 1 style.)
# If you include links (URLs) add hyperlinks to make them clickable. (Highlight the text you want linked, click Insert >> Hyperlink.)
# Insert a TOC (Table of Contents) based on your header styles. The TOC will then include all your chapter headings.
# Do a final save as both .doc (not .docx) and as an .html file (save as Web Page, Filtered.)
# Download Mobipocket creator and convert your file to .mobi (the Kindle format.)
# Preview it using Kindle Previewer (you can download this to your computer.)
# If everything looks OK, write a catchy book description that will encourage people to buy your book. (Look at similar titles to yours to see how they describe their books.) Have this ready to copy and paste into the Book Description section when you upload your book.
# Sign on with KDP. (Note: you will need to have an Amazon account to do this. It takes only seconds to create if you don't have one.)
# Take the time to read through the KDP help pages so you will feel comfortable with the experience.
# Follow the steps outlined by KDP. (Note: Under 'contributors' you will put your name. If no-one else has contributed, that's all you need to put. Some boxes that can be left blank are: Publisher, ISBN and publication date. Do NOT leave the payment information box blank, unless you don't want to receive royalties!)
# Upload your book cover. Take note of the size recommended by Amazon. (This will also appear on the inside of your book when people download it.)
# Upload your manuscript. This can be in the form of a .doc, .html, or a .mobi file.
# Choose your preferred publishing rights (usually worldwide) and pricing.
# Read and check the KDP Terms and Conditions
# Click SAVE AND PUBLISH!
A Final Word – and a Bonus for You
These 23 checklists will cover a lot of ground for you as an author. Of course they don’t encompass every aspect of writing (I’d be sitting here typing for a year, if that were the case) but they will get you off to an excellent start.
If you belong to a writing group, an excellent activity is to encourage everyon
e in the group to contribute a checklist, on any aspect of writing or career development. Discuss those checklists in a meeting, modify them if necessary, and share them around. And then go home and personalize each checklist so you get the most out of it!
And now for the really good news…
I have a special bonus for you (you’ll love this!) Although a book of checklists on your e-book reader is enormously handy because it’s so portable, sometimes it’s even more useful if you can print off ready-made checklists to put on the desk beside you as you type or edit your work… right?
Right!
So… buyers of The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists will be able to get ALL the checklists in this book in a printable PDF format.
Here’s how you do it. Just forward your Amazon receipt for The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists to: [email protected] and I’ll be happy to send you the whole set. (After you forward your receipt, you’ll get an email asking you to confirm your purchase and to agree that you would like the set of printable checklists - so keep an eye out for it! You need to click the link in that email to finish the process and get your set of Checklists.)
You might also like to sign up for Updates on the Busy Writer blog – that way you’ll get to hear about all the special ‘extras’ for our readers!
Appendix 1: More Help for Writers
When they start to write, most writers hit a snag here and there. They might find that their characters aren’t really coming to life on the page, or that the dialogue isn’t sounding natural, or that the pace seems a bit slow in some parts of the novel.
That’s exactly why I started up a website for writers over a decade ago. I wanted a place where writers could go to find the advice they needed, or to get extra help at a crucial point in their novel.
You will find hundreds of articles on writing on this site. Go to www.writing4success.com and scroll through the list. There are articles on creating characters, adding emotional punch, how to solve plotting problems, endings, writing for children, writing crime and mystery fiction, and building a writing career. You can also subscribe to a regular writer’s newsletter, the Writing4Success Tipsheet – and if you need more personalized help with your writing, there are two 5-module e-courses with writing tasks that focus on your work in progress : Spotlight on Plotting and Spotlight on Characters.
The Busy Writer Series
Here’s a list of all the books in The Busy Writer Series. No padding, no fluff… just practical, easy-to-follow strategies that will help you produce well-plotted, polished books.
The Busy Writer’s One-Hour Plot – if you just can’t come up with a viable plot (or you’re writing yourself into a corner because you haven’t taken the time to plot) this will give you a good, solid framework for your novel – in just sixty minutes!
The Busy Writer’s One-Hour Character – perfect for creating vibrant, well-rounded characters quickly! It comes with extra tips on fleshing out characters, creating a ‘supporting cast’, character growth and series characters.
The Busy Writer’s KickStart Program – designed to get you up and running, no matter what hurdles are getting in the way of writing your book. This 8-step program walks you through clearing the decks to get started fast (even if you’re blocked); how to get past roadblocks, building in support and rewards, improving style and technique, and the basics of plotting and character creation.
The Busy Writer’s Self-Editing Toolbox – Even if you get feedback from others, you need to be able to edit and polish your own work. (The less work your book needs, the more chance you have of having it published.) These simple and effective “tools” will make your writing sparkle!
The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists – What does a writer use all the time? Yes, checklists! Checklists to fine-tune plots, characters and scenes; checklists to give feedback to critique partners; checklists to create websites and Facebook pages. This collection has 20 checklists for writers, plus tips on how to create good checklists of your own.
Happy writing! I look forward to seeing your books for sale on Amazon.com. Meanwhile, if you have any questions or comments, just send me an email at [email protected]
- Marg
If you enjoyed The Busy Writer’s Book of Checklists, please let your writing friends know… and leave a review on the Amazon site. Your review will help other authors to make a decision about the most helpful books to develop their writing skills.
The Busy Writer's Book of Checklists Page 5