Book Publishing for Authors
By Valerie Peterson, About.com Guide
- The Author's Life
- Awards for Authors
- Book Agents: About Being Represented by an Agent
- Self-Publishing: About the Process of Self-Publishing
- Manuscript to Finished Book: The Editorial and Production Process
- Creating A Good Book Title
- Publicity and Marketing for Your Book
The Author's Life
From sitting down at your desk to write to signing your first book contract; from standing in front of a bookstore audience to read your work to Twittering your heart out to boost book sales, the author's life can be, alternately, solitary or exhilarating; satisfying or frustrating. Read about what's it's like to be an author.
- What (and What Not) to Expect When You're Published
- The Writer's Life — An Interview with Author Gina Barreca
- More About the Writer's Life with Gina Barreca
- Self-Published Authors Share Their Experiences
Awards for Authors
Prizes and awards can add cache to a writer's bio. Read about some of the most coveted awards for authors.
- Caldecott Medal for Children's Illustration
- Romance Writers of America® Awards
- The National Book Awards
Book Agents: About Being Represented by an Agent
Agents are essentially sales people--they sell book properties (in the form of manuscripts or proposals) to publishers, through editors. The best agents are the author's--and the book's--advocates throughout the publishing process.
Self-Publishing: About the Process of Self-Publishing
There are many reasons for an author to self-publish rather than seek a traditional publishing path--and there are many self-publishing success stories. But the self-publishing process takes time and resources--editorial, art, distribution, marketing and publicity, to name a few. Self-publishing is an investment in yourself and your work and, like any investment, if you want to have a good return, you need to do careful research beforehand. It makes sense to learn as much as you can before you sign with a self-publishing company; here's some information developed to help you.
- About Vanity Presses and Self-Publishing Companies
- Thinking of Self-Publishing? Here Are Some Good Reasons to Self Publish
- What You Should Know Before Choosing a Self-Publishing Company
- Have You Self-Published A Book? Tell Other Authors About Your Experience
- Read Authors' Self-Publishing Experiences
- Paranormal Self-Publishing Success: Interview with Novelist Amanda Hocking
- Self-Publishing Success: Interview with Jared Koch, Author of Clean Plates NYC
Manuscript to Finished Book: The Editorial and Production Process
After you hand in your manuscript, it goes through the editorial and production processes. If you're working with a traditional publisher, likely it will go through the hands of dozens of dedicated people before it emerges as a finished book.
Creating A Good Book Title
Your book's title is its first marketing tool, so choose it carefully. Here's some information on book titles and subtitles that will help you craft a better book title.
- What Makes a Good Book Title?
- How to Write a Book Title: Step-by-Step
- How to Write a Subtitle
- Crafting a "Selling" Book Title - A Case Study
Publicity and Marketing for Your Book
As nearly any published author will tell you, writing the book and getting the book contract is only half the battle--finding readers for your book is the other half. Whether you are being published by a traditional publishing house (like author Sharon Lathan at a book signing, here) or going DIY with a self-publishing service, a large portion of publicity, promotion, and marketing will fall on your shoulders. Read about what to expect and how to maximize your book's exposure to readers.
- Publicity Basics - What to Expect from Your Publisher
- Book Publicity 101 - Q & A with Publicity Expert Rick Frishman
- Online Social Media to Promote Your Book - Q & A with Expert Sandra Beckwith
- Tap All Your Networks for Book Promotion - Expert Sandra Beckwith Tells How
- Book Marketing Basics - What Marketing to Expect From Your Publisher