A bone to pick - unsolicited emails and messages

I have noticed an influx of unsolicited emails and messages I receive on various social and professional networks. Frankly, it’s getting really irritating.

We are not authors, we publish authors. We have no intentions of becoming authors in the distant or not so distant future.

We no longer do post production reviews, please visit our website for information on our review policy.

We are not looking for free books - we believe in paying for an author’s hard work. A bound ARC or advanced ebook copy for pre-production reviews (visit our website) are the only free books we would request - why? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FOR SALE YET…

We are not looking for another free self publishing marketing kit that appears to be the next thing an author puts out after self publishing a book or books.

We are not accepting submissions at this time (visit our website for guidelines)

Here’s a piece of advice, if the email or message was not asked for, don’t send it. We don’t want it. If you are inquiring about something - marketing, publishing, reviews, et al - make your email or message personalized.

We…..loathe…..spam. It’s like the old telemarketing calls during dinner. We don’t do it to others, we’d like the same respect - please!

It’s unprofessional, it’s annoying, and frankly we don’t want or need it. It is the easiest way to have your email or message deleted and sent into the oblivion of cyber space.

Thanks for your understanding -

BuzzNet Tags: spam,email,messages,marketing

Words of the day …..

We’ve covered author and writer in a previous post - now lets cover the following:

editor, publisher, agent….

Edit - to prepare for publication as by adapting or correcting. to prepare an edition of. to put together the pars of by cutting, combining, and splicing. to delete. - n. editor (p 135)

Publish - to produce and present for public distribution or sale. to publicize; announce n. publish (p 340)

Agent - one that acts. one that represent another. a means by which something is done or caused, instrument. a representative of a governmental department. a spy. (p 10)

So what does this all mean to you as a writer? We’ve already established the differences between a writer and an author. So we’ll assume you’re a writer, and not just an author at this stage of the game.

You’ve written a novel. You’ve been accepted by a publishing house. So what does that mean for you? Well, the definitions are pretty self explanatory above of what you should expect from your editor, publisher, and agent. If you anticipate writing a novel, signing a contract and your work here is done - you’re dead wrong.

What gets people to buy your books over others? What makes them any different than the 4000 printed each day in America, alone? What makes you a different author? That is not the job of the editor, publisher, or the agent to present to the readers that may or may not pick up your book - that is up to you.

Like any other company, you have to build a solid author brand and set yourself apart. What makes you different than the rest? Why should anybody read your novel before others? Only you, as a writer, can answer those questions and pave the way for yourself. Traditional marketing and business techniques don’t work in this fast paced, ever evolving industry. In this social media generation people want to connect with their favorite celebrities - this means you. Churning out novel after novel does you no good, YOU have to connect with your reader base and show them you really are human.

You’ve done the writers groups, you’ve honed your skills, now you have to sell yourself. Your novels are your product, how - as a business - do you sell them? It’s not your editors job to show you off - it’s just their job to fix your English. Whatever they do above and beyond that is just their particular nature. Don’t take it for granted, they’re trying to assist you on your career path as a writer.

People and word of mouth sells books. Connect with your readers - you’ll be glad you did.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: editor,publisher,agent,writing,publishing

Word of the Day - neophyte

 

Neophyte - 1. a new convert. 2. a novice or beginner. (p. 284)

Our company works with neophyte and unknown authors. One of the best things a neophyte writer can do for their career is join a writers group or fifty. The writers groups will be oh-so beneficial. They can help writers find and learn about their strengths and weaknesses. They can help with the editing process prior to submission or prior to the novel landing on your editors desk. They can help start a necessary network that will be able to provide new distribution avenues, and a plethora of other things - the latest industry news, contests, structure, formatting, reviews, sales outlets, tours, networking areas, media contacts, publishing contacts, associations. You get the point. A writers group(s) can help start the foundation you need to be a successful author.

You have to be mindful that a lot of publishing companies will not take the time to help completely re-write your novel. The writers groups can help get your work tightened up. They can help you identify if you write passive, how to watch for it, and keep your eyes open as you continue to scribe. Back story dump AKA catching up the reader is very common. Seasoned writers even do it. But going through writers groups on a regular basis will help you identify these areas, how to tell when you have done them when you start editing your own work, and how to fix it.

As a neophyte author part of learning your craft, your art, and evolving as a writer is learning from those around you. A writers group can provide one of many paths to support that evolution. Learn from the seasoned writers around you and apply those lessons to your writing. It is like any other career. You learn from those around you with years more experience than you.

I fully support an author who hits the ground running, taking their career in their own hands. However, part of that process is learning as you go and a writers group can help start that process. Find a good one. Find a structured one. Find one that has other writers that support and not inhibit your growth. Most writers band together to support each other. They were where you are now and understand the learning curve.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

BuzzNet Tags: writing,wording

Word of the Day - prognosticate

Prognosticate - to predict from current indications. (p. 337)

That word sounds a little archaic doesn’t it?

The publishing industry is full of prognosticators. Just look for op’eds on the Apple/DOJ case, Amazon, and e-books. There is a plethora (oo, maybe tomorrow’s word of the day) of them on the web. Read a handful of them and you’ll notice a distinct line, no happy medium, no gray area. Sign with a publisher, self publish. Print or e-book or both. Publishing is like any other industry - everyone has an opinion on the best way to move forward with your hard work.

What it boils down to is what is best for you, as a writer. None of it matters, though, if you do not continue to learn your art and continue to brand yourself as an author. The most profitable publishing company, with money to burn, is not going to be able to turn you into an overnight sensation if your writing does not appeal to a reader base and you’re not out hitting the pavement connecting with your readers.

Join a writers group, take writing classes, learn where your weaknesses are and focus on making them stronger. Continue to challenge yourself and push further and harder. Don’t be afraid to try something different. Network online and offline. Learn about the industry. Stay on top of the latest news. Do all of this before you publish your novel - traditionally or self publish. Continue to do this after you publish. Learn from others. Ask questions - a lot of them and keep asking until you understand. Do your own homework.

This is a new/current/future career for you. Your old/current career did not get successful because you expected someone else to do the work for you. Take the bull by the horns, kick it in the knees and become a pro at your craft, at your art.

Two things my grandfather tells me all the time - bend down, put your nose to the grindstone, dig in your heels, and push forward. The other?

Illegitimi non-du carbondum or very poor/mock Latin for Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Kortney

www.unforgettablebooksinc.com

photo from: http://www.magic8ball.org/

BuzzNet Tags: wording,writing,publishing