Spring Re-Freshening - Are Your Books Do for a Makeover?

Hey, gang! Hope all of you have had a great weekend and enjoy an even better week ahead. AND...

I've been busy overhauling the aesthetics of my Moonsongs series recently, and it has brought to mind a dilemma that indie authors (specifically) face:

When should we slap a new coat of paint on our catalogues? How often? Or better still, should we at all?

Here's my reasoning for making a change, and you can tell me if it makes sense to you:

- My stories are all in the same series and universe, yet I'm not sure my current covers would give much indication of that other than the words on the front.

- I'm thrilled when even one person reads my stories, but I'd always love more people to read them. I'm not breaking any sales records, so maybe a change of cover and labeling will help. (I've heard others say it can make a big difference.)

- My first story (Blood Fugue) has been out for well over a year, and I'll be releasing the 6th story soon-ish. This is a logical time to rebrand things and build momentum for the home stretch. (The series will end with #12--to hopefully be published by the end of this year or early next.)

- My current covers are very polarizing. Some people really like them, other people seem to literally hate them. I'm gambling that a more stylistically neutral cover will encourage those sitting on the fence to give them a shot.

- I've never been satisfied with calling these stories "books" because they're technically novelettes. (Moonsongs "books" just fit the series mechanics, and no one knows what a novelette is. LOL) I've seen other authors using television terms like 'episodes' and 'seasons' to label their serialized stories, and I think it's incredibly simple and easy to understand.

- One major tool indie authors have at their disposal is the ability to re-brand and market their work differently whenever they choose. It's a great way to keep your product fresh and visible. (Something businesses do in every industry.) I'm exercising my right. :)

My plan is to refresh the covers, update the electronic files (making sure my author bio matches my current public one, correct a couple of typos that snuck into final versions, make sure I've got my entire catalogue linked in each story, etc.), and evaluating/tweaking my product descriptions.

Here's a sneak peek at my cover overhaul (click the image to compare to the old covers):

I've still got a few tweaks to make, but I'm hoping the consistency (and toning down) in style will yield positive outcomes.

What about you? Have you thought about changing things up? Assuming you're not already a bestseller, do you think these types of changes can bring you more readers?
AND SPEAKING OF CHANGES...

Most of you know that I'm a contributor over at the New Adult Alley, and I wanted to share news on that front. Beginning in April, the Alley will be doing more than ever to bring all of the important information, fun, and insight on all things in New Adult literature right to your fingertips. 

We have a new forum, newsletter, and more. For more details, click HERE.

~EJW~

Online Marketing Symposium - Free Book FYI

Hey, gang! So sorry for the blog silence and dropping off the grid this past week. We had a death in the family and I traveled back to Oklahoma for services and such.

Obvs I'm back, and I'm really excited to be taking part in the inaugural, What Works - Online Marketing Sypmposium. What is an Online Marketing Symposium?

Per Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh, the masterminds behind the event: 

"We want you to tell us your stories of success (or not so successful) as we present a blogging event that will help us learn. Tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work. Your post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically. Tell us about a business campaign, an organizational event, a fundraiser – anything where a bit of promotion was necessary! The What Works.. Marketing Symposium is not limited to authors but also to anyone in a business that has a promotional aspect – online or otherwise!"

For my part in the event, I've decided to share what I know (and maybe don't) about offering up your work for free. So let's get to it!

Ever met someone with a really nasty reputation that you've only ever talked about (not to) and thought hey, they aren't that bad. Then you get really confused and conflicted about what all the fuss was over. Free books are a lot like that.

You'll hear all kinds of things about free books, bad and good. 

They're undermining the value of all of our work, because readers won't want to pay for books once they're accustomed to them being free. 

They're just desperate attempts to get noticed by fledgling authors.

Only amateurs offer their work for free.

If it's free, it must be crap.

Free book promotions rocket people to the top of the Amazon charts.

Many successful authors have become so by building off of free books.

Every other industry (including traditional publishing) uses free promotions to "hook" consumers, so it works.

On and on it goes, and like all reputations, there's partial truth in all of the rumors. Giving things away for free CAN deteriorate the perceived value of a product in the eyes of the consumer. There ARE a lot of crappy free books out there. Lots of very successful authors HAVE used free book promotions on their way to the bestseller lists (M. Louisa Locke being one of my favorite indie success stories). Letting consumers sample a product for free IS a tried and true marketing technique.

So what's the real story? Are free books good or evil? Answer: Definitely. (Go ahead, throw something at the computer and curse E.J., I'll wait...)

Here's what I know for sure:

Free Books Are Not A Magic Bullet - A year (or two) ago, Amazon allowed free books to inhabit the same bestseller lists as paid books. As a result, if Free Book X got a ton of downloads and went to numero uno in the Kindle store, it was up there ahead of the big girls and boys (the Grishams, Rowlings, Kings, Browns, etc. of the world). In those wild days, a successful free ebook could easily get the attention of millions of readers. 

Nowadays that's not the case. Amazon (and most online vendors) have changed their algorithms. A rocking free book is going to get noticed, but it's not going to get the star treatment. Which leads to...

Free Books Are Tools, Not A Toolbox - You can't build an entire house with only a hammer, and you can't build a writing career with a single free book. A free book is best used as part of an overall strategy, not as THE strategy. 

The authors who seem to be using free books most successfully are those who have multiple works out--particularly in a series. It's merely a gateway into their other work.

I write a series of urban fantasy novellas. There are five of them out, and I keep the first one permanently free in hopes that readers will sample it and move on to the next in the series. (I'll share my own findings in a list below.)

Don't Be Free Just To Be Free - ALWAYS have a plan or a point to your free books. Is it permanently free to hook readers into a series? Is it a onetime promotion to try to get your book in front of new readers? Whatever the reason, just make sure there is one.  

The Clever Mouse Gets The Cheese - Being creative with your free book is as important as having a marketing strategy (see also - not being free for the sake of being free). Use holidays to your advantage (i.e., if you write horror, consider giving something away around Halloween). Band together with other authors to give your book away as part of an organized "event" of free books to increase exposure. If you write novels, consider creating a novella or short story to offer as a freebie sample. If you have a free book coming out in a series, celebrate it by offering previous titles free for a limited time.

Also recommend using your free books in conjunction with other marketing things. If you've got a big blog tour coming up, it might be a good idea to offer something free on some of your bigger stops.

Knowing The Rules Wins The Game - Every online retailer has different policies regarding free books. Amazon doesn't allow them, UNLESS another site is offering the same book for free. Then, customers can report the difference in price and (once enough reports have been received and the great Amazon Eye of Sauron has investigated) Amazon will price match. (That's how my first Moonsongs story is permanently free incidentally.)

The other way you can offer your book for free on Amazon is by enrolling it in the Kindle Direct Publishing Select program. In exchange for offering your book EXCLUSIVELY on Amazon for 90 days, they let you pick 5 days to offer it free.

Smashwords, on the other hand, allows you to price your work at whatever you'd like (they even have a setting that allows the reader to donate whatever they think it's worth). You can also use coupon codes to give your work away free on Smashwords.

Understanding the rules, and then taking advantage of them, is key to making free books work for you.

Utilizing Free Book Promotion Sites Is HUGE - Readers love books, especially when they're good and free. Surprise! Consequently, a poop-ton of free book promotion sites have sprung up. Basically, readers follow these sites and get updates when popular books go free.

It's the best way I've found to let the world know your book is free for a limited time. Unfortunately, other authors also know this.*shakes fist at other authors* :) As a result, the really popular free book sites have been inundated with requests to feature books. So there's often a waiting list and an application process to get your book featured. 

To further complicate things, many of these sites aren't exactly clear on how they pick the books they feature, so it's kind of a guessing game once you apply. A few things most of them require: 1) A set number of positive reviews for your book--usually 10-15, 4 star or better reviews are required. 2) The exact date your book will be free. 3) Cover image, description, category and genre, links, and possibly author bio.

There are lots of these sites now, and the best way to find them is via word of mouth (ask other authors who they've used) and a quick Google search. Also, I recommend the shotgun approach. When you've got a plan for your free book promotions in place, apply to as many of the sites as you can. You likely won't hear back from several, so it'll decrease your chances of striking out completely.

NOTE: Several of these sites charge to promote your book. I cannot speak to the viability of these specifically, but as with all things be wary of who you give your money to. Ask around first.

E.J.'s Free Book Story

As I noted earlier, I've made the first story in my Moonsongs series permanently free on Amazon and Smashwords. It has been that way for several months now. Since it was price matched, it has consistently stayed in the top 20k free Kindle books (out of the few million that are free, so I'll take it), and spends most of its time in the top 10k.

That has not made me rich or famous. :) But it has, I believe, resulted in more sales of the other stories in the series. (Things have been a lot more consistent since it has gone free. Prior to that, most of my sales came during the release month. Now I get downloads trickling in every month.) 

Before being permanently free, I enrolled it in the KDPS program. I coincided my free days with stops on a blog tour I was doing at the time, selecting the biggest blogs to have as my free days. I had more downloads of the story that month than I've had combined since. So it was a success. (Looking back, I got very lucky I think.) 

I recently enrolled my Moonsongs Anthology (books 1-3) in KDPS to take advantage of another blog tour. The results, although not as good as last time, were still great. Hoping to see some sales for books 4 and 5 in the next couple of months as a result of so many downloading the anthology. (Many, many readers download and stash the books until they have time to read.) I'll be sure to let y'all know!

What about you? Have you used a free book promotion? Was it helpful? 

There are lots of folks sharing tips and experiences just like this today, so be sure to hop around (and join in)!

~EJW~

Online Marketing Symposium Blogs

1.Arlee Birds Tossing It Out
2.Yolanda Renee at Defending the Pen
3.Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
4.Jeremy Hawkins at Being Retro
5.Insecure Writers Support Group
6.Blogging from A to Z Challenge
7.C. M. Brown
8.Aloha! Mark Koopmans says hi from HI
9.ShirleyisNotmyName
10.Writing Wings
11.M. J. Joachims Writing Tips
12.Spunk On A Sticks Tips
13.Ink & Alchemy
14.Christine Rains
15.J. L. Campbell
16.WRITING IN THE CROSSHAIRS
17.Stephen Tremp
18.Philipscom/Ariel's Jottings
19.Regarding Silexare
20.Notes Along the Way - Mary Montague Sikes
21.Susan Says
22.Jay Noel
23.Crystal Collier
24.Sandra Ulbrich Almazan--Speculative Fiction Author
25.Livia Peterson - Leave it to Livia
26.PK HREZO
27.The Write Game
28.The Open Vein - E. J. Wesley
29.Tyreans Writing Spot
30.Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
31.About Myself, By Myself
32.Sharon Bayliss
33.Julie Flanders
34.Ella's Edge
35.Swagger Writers
36.Laura Pauling
37.Elizabeth Seckman
38.Liz Fichera
39.Trisha @ WORD+STUFF
40.Angela Brown in the Pursuit of Publishness
41.Mama Diaries
42.Literary Chick
43.Cold Lake Cathy
44.Official Site of Horror Author Alex Layourne
45.Chrys Fey
46.Jemima Pett
47.The Musings of a Hopeful and Pecunious Wordsmith
48.Scribblers Sojourn
49.tara tyler
50.Steven Symes, Writer
51.Meetings with My Muse
52.Dreamers Perch
53.Sand Castles and Snow Forts
54.Nicki Elson
55.Huntress
56.Buck Inspire
57.Storypot
58.The Story of a Writer
59.Ellie Garratt
60.melanie schulz
61.Carrie-Anne's Magick Theatre
62.Coming Down the Mountain
63.Im hoping to learn
64.From Sarah With Joy

Indie Life - Steps To Indie Publishing - Outsourcing Pt. 3 of 3

Hey, gang! Time for another Indie Life post. What is Indie Life? Essentially, it's a growing list of independent authors and publishing professionals who aim to support each other through the sharing of information and insight.

We do this by posting on the second Wednesday of each month in an organized blog hop. If you think you'd like to take part, click the Indie Life button above.

Today I'm wrapping up my series on the basic steps to getting your book published independently. 

In the first installment, I talked about the 6 essential tasks before you (writing, editing, cover, formatting, distribution, and marketing). 

In the second post, I gave some tips and information on how and why to outsource--or hire out--each of the first three steps. Well, except for writing--if you need a ghostwriter, they're out there, but I honestly have no clue about that.

In this final post, we'll take a look at the final three steps: formatting, distribution, and marketing. So let's get to it!

Step 4 - Formatting

Why you should hire it out - Okay, you've got that manuscript polished to a shiny, chrome-like level. It's time to slap it up on Amazon and watch the downloads stream in!

*slaps mouse out of your hands* Not so fast my friends. In most cases, it's not a simple matter of just using your finished Word document.

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the like use specific file types for their e-Readers. You'll need to convert your Word doc to mobi, ePub, and maybe other exotic filetypes for them to get along.

Yes, there are programs that will do it for you, but trust me on this: It isn't a "button press" process. You'll need to understand how those programs work, and you'll need to figure out how to "debug" your Word doc or you'll get sentences that look like this: 

D    og ate the      chicken. Dogloveschicken   !

And none of this speaks to formatting paper books. We'll get more into this in the distribution section, but paperback formatting requires a bit of artistic skill, or at the very least, some design esthetics. 

This isn't as big of an issue for electronic books. eReaders almost always have the ability for the reader to dictate their preferred text size, style, etc. And while you can certainly try to alter the text layout of a paperback by pressing "the buttons" (i.e., with your mind) I'm not sure you're going to get very far.

So the pressure mounts when you format a paperback, because you're pre-determining the reading experience and the reader's preferences for them. NOTE: You can DEFINITELY screw this part up.

When to find a formatter - Is formatting your own book doable? Absolutely! In fact, I know many, many, MANY indie authors who prefer to do this step for themselves. Why? Because once you've got it down, you've got it down. And that translates to saving you money in the long run.

However, it will most likely take hours if not days of your life to get it down. So consider hiring someone to do it for you if you, A) HATE tedious computer work, B) are prone to eyestrain, or C) don't have lots of time to kill.

How much is it going to set you back? Another reason to consider hiring a formatter is that it's probably the cheapest service you can hire out.

For eBook formatting, you can expect to pay between $50 and $300, usually depending upon what you're asking for and the length of the work. 

I say what you're asking for, because certain distributors (like Smashwords) have "special" or premium catalogs that require a few more hoops to jump through. You may have to pay more for those kinds of things.

Another factor is if you have a lot of images within the text. Think of maps for fantasy, graphs for non-fiction, chapter images, etc. That can cost you extra as well.

There are lots of formatters out there who will do eBooks for less than $150. 

For paperback formatting, I'd expect to pay between $150 and $500. You might even pay upwards of $1,000 if your formatter is also manipulating the images for the cover, back jacket, and spine, or if she needs to include a lot of images with in the text.


Considerations - Keep in mind that when you hire a formatter, this probably doesn't mean zero effort on your part. You'll need to inspect the files they send you back. This can take hours. As in, how-long-does-it-take-you-to-read-a-book? kind of hours.

And I HIGHLY recommend you inspect what they send you back closely.

Most formatters will stipulate how many "re-do" attempts you get. Meaning: If you inspect the file and aren't pleased with something, you can send it back to them for corrections. 

Furthermore, formatters will not proofread your manuscript for you, so if you have typos, they'll most likely go into the final version of the book. Fixing them might require re-formatting, and that WILL require more $$$ on your part if you aren't doing it yourself.


Resources - Smashwords has a handy resource for finding independent publishing professionals called Mark's List. It's particularly useful, because Smashwords does attempt to keep it up to date and vetted. You'll find lots of book formatters there. 

Also, be sure to ask your author friends, particularly if you've read their book and thought it looked nice. They might do their own formatting and be willing to help you do yours for not-much-money. 


Bottom Line - Okay, here's where I do a little hedging on you. Finding a good formatter is tricky. And I've found out the hard way that a large part of formatting is trial and error--and that costs you when you're hiring it out. 

In my one and only experience with working with a formatter, I spent more time going over their work than it would've taken me to learn how to do it myself. And it still wasn't great!

I suspect this is why so many indies decide to do it themselves. Unless you know (trust) the person doing your formatting, you're likely rolling the dice.

Unfortunately, it would take another entire post to get into how to do it yourself. So I'll leave you with this excellent overview I read recently, courtesy of our blogging author friends, M Pax and Michael Pierce. 

So my REAL bottom line is this: If this is going to be your one and only book to publish (at least as far as you know), spend some real money on hiring as professional a formatter as you can find. (Proof is often in the website I've found--if it's a mess, they probably don't have the eye for detail formatting requires.)

However, if you're in this indie game for the long haul and are going to publish several things a year, invest your energy and time in learning how to do it yourself.

Step 5 - Distribution

Why you should hire it out - It doesn't take Donald Trump to figure out that you want your book in as many retailers as possible. And there are more book slingers out there than you might think.

Amazon, KOBO, Sony, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Diesle--just to name a few. And that doesn't include the vast numbers of paper book peddlers (libraries, bookstores, etc.) If you're doing this on your own, it can take a staggering amount of time to get your book in their hands, on their terms.

Distributors take care of that for you. They'll make sure your book is ready for purchase on Apple iBooks and you won't even have to lift a finger--well, other than giving them your manuscript. 

When to find a distributor - If you're only willing or able to get your book uploaded to one or two sites on your own, you might want to consider working with a distributor. 

Also, if paper books are a big part of your plan, you'll want a distributor.  

How much is it going to set you back? This is tricky. There are different types of distributors, and each goes about getting their pound of flesh a little differently. 

Smashwords offers--alongside digital publishing on their site, which is different than being a distributor of your book--a distribution program. Basically, if you meet their premium catalog requirements, they'll get your eBook up on iBooks, Sony Bookstore, and more. In most cases, it's a 60 (author)/ 40 (Smashwords and partners) per-book-split on titles priced .99 and higher.

Then, there are services like BookBaby, who offer a buffet-style approach to book publishing and distribution. (You can literally have them do everything except the writing and marketing.) They have a one price model: You pay upfront for whatever types of services you want, (starting at $99) and keep the rest of your earnings--minus an annual $19 service fee, of course. In exchange, they make sure your book gets to a bunch of retailers. (BookBaby also does print distribution, so again, you can have them do everything.)

Lastly, there are paper book channels to think about. Amazon offers CreateSpace, which is different than Kindle Direct Publishing in that it does distribute your book (if you so choose) to sources other than Amazon. 

It's free upfront if you design the layout of the book materials and upload the files yourself. Or, you can have them design your paper book for a fee. Then, they'll send it to wherever you specify for a royalty fee per book sold (you'll get to keep about 30% of whatever the title is selling for). They'll also charge you for every paper book you order, but it's heavily discounted from the sticker price the consumer sees. 

Another popular distributor is Lightning Source. You send them a file or print book for them to scan into their system, then they'll get your book out to the various distribution channels. Unlike CreateSpace, they do offer services other than POD (print on demand... think: the difference between creating each book as it is ordered Vs creating a print run with several volumes).



Considerations - They all have different terms, so make sure you familiarize yourself with them. In every case, you're going to be sharing your hard-earned book earnings with these people for a long while, so do some homework, and use the best service for you. 


Resources - This is a reoccurring theme here, and it's very telling of why we do this Indie Life thing--ask your author friends! Listen to their experiences using different distribution options, and try to find people who are shooting for something similar in terms of what you want for your book. 

CreateSpace might just be the perfect, hassle-free option you're looking for if most of your marketing time is going to be spent online. However, if you want to get your book in as many indie bookstores and libraries as possible, there might be better options.

I'd also recommend talking with the people at those bookstores and libraries who are responsible for ordering books directly. They'll let you know who is easiest for them to work with, which is important if that's where you want your book to be sold.


Bottom Line - This is the sink or swim point for many authors, and lots of them just go with the first distributor whose terms they can actually understand and meet. I'd encourage you to really talk to other independent authors and at least try to make an educated guess based upon what YOUR goals for YOUR book are. 

Step 6 - Marketing

Why you should hire it out - You've got the Facebook and are on the Twitters, what more do you need to be able to let the world know your baby is kicking and screaming in a store near them?

More, like, lots more. Marketing goes beyond a blog tour. It goes beyond a thriving Twitter account and a great book. There are many layers to creating awareness of you and your work, and the time you can sink into it is quite literally infinite. 

So, if you want to spend more of your time writing, and less of it typing Facebook updates, and your idea of branding is running around and zapping people with a hot iron, it might be time to hire it out.

When to get help with marketing - The marketing gurus out there (see - not me) will tell you that marketing for your book begins long before the book is even finished. 

You'll create a brand--an identity--for you as an author and a person by being present on social media and other public outlets. It's through the (hopefully) rose-hughed lenses of that brand that readers will begin to see you. 

You can most certainly do this organically just by being yourself on your blogs, etc. Talk about the things you like to read, watch, and listen to. Talk about your work generically and preferably not ad nauseam. Support other writers/authors, and so on.

However, this takes a LOT of time (usually years) and persistence before it builds into anything quantifiable in terms of 'presence'.

And maybe you've been writing in secret and, like a cat hiding in a box, are just waiting for the right time to jump out at us. If so, you'll need some help with getting noticed right away.

Or, perhaps you're really good at a couple of things (like blogging and Facebook), but you're really non-existant on other major platforms like Twitter. It might be a good idea to get some help to better cover your bases.

How much is it going to set you back? Again, your mileage may vary here. Do you just want a blog tour to help with your latest release? That'll be in the $100 - $300 range depending upon how long the tour goes and what the tour planner is expected to do. 

If you just need someone to build you a website, that will cost from the low hundreds to the thousands depending upon the fanciness you desire and the amount of time it takes a designer to build it. (And don't forget the hosting fees, which are usually nominal, but can add up over time. This is why a lot of authors default to using free blogs, etc.)

But maybe you need the whole "PR team" treatment. Someone to create your brand, teach you how to tweet, set up interviews, help you build that website, etc. That will set you back hundreds or, more probably, thousands of dollars. 



Considerations - Most of us will be willing and able to take on some of the marketing burden ourselves. So the decision then becomes more of identifying what you suck at, what you dislike doing, and what you're unwilling to invest your time into doing.

If you have some web design chops, consider building your own website through free sites like Weebly. It's pretty user friendly, and you can get a polished site up relatively quickly. Plus, it'll save you big time $$$. 

If you enjoy blogging and have a large following, you might be able to do your own blog tours. You might also find the time you spend organizing and carrying them out to be not agonizing (I refuse to call it enjoyable...).

But be honest about what you can do to a quasi-professional level Vs what you'll just be dabbling at. As the saying goes, you get one shot at making a good first impression, so make it count.


Resources - I mentioned Weebly above as a resource for building a website. 

Here's a good article with a big picture look at the keys to a successful virtual book tour. Here's a somewhat recent breakdown/comparison of some popular blog tour companies and their service/fee structure. 

Here's a list of 7 essential online book marketing tips I found useful.


Bottom Line - Again, I can't emphasize word of mouth enough. Talk to other writers you respect and trust before forking over your money. I found my blog tour planner that way, and I haven't regretted that expenditure for a second. 

Also, don't let me give you the impression that blog tours and website are all that goes into marketing. For big picture idea, check out this list of 10 winning marketing strategies.

***

Well, that's it! (I think... *phew*) I know this was a long post and series, but I'm hoping others will find it useful. I've intentionally tried to make it broad and "plain speak" to allow readers to wade into the world indie publishing as opposed to being thrown in headfirst. This was not intended to be an immersive guide to self-publishing.

(There are lots of people out there who know way more about it than I do. But I can tell you from the perspective of an everyday Joe, which is what I attempted to do.)

As I mentioned from the outset, quality matters. It's so very important to your longterm success and goals as an author to do these steps the best that you can each and every time. The worst possible outcome is for someone to not read your words because you've neglected a few simple details. 

Below is the link list I offered previously. If you provide some of the services I've covered in this series (cover design, formatting, etc.), please add your information below and I'll keep it posted on this blog.

~EJW~

Steps To Indie Publishing - Outsourcing Pt. 2 of 3 - Editing & Covers

Hey, gang! You might recall a couple of weeks ago I covered the basic steps to Indie publishing (a mostly serious list). As a refresher, I basically listed a bunch of things like editing, covers, formatting, etc. that lead up to you getting your book published. 

At the end of that post, I made a case for considering hiring someone to do those things for you. 

As promised, here is part two (of three... sorry, there's a lot of information to cover!) wherein we'll take a look at the first three steps I listed previously (writing, editing, and covers) checking out the basic why, when, how much, and what of outsourcing those publishing tasks.

I'd also like to remind everyone of our mantra: Quality matters!

I know a lot of you in the audience are actually hiring out as editors and cover artists, so in an attempt to do a little love connecting, I'm providing a link list for you to let people know about what you do and where to find you.

ALSO, if you want to learn more about Indie publishing and outsourcing, I highly recommend you stop by our special 1 hour early (8 PM Eastern) #NALitChat tonight on Twitter. 

We'll be chatting live on air (we do an audio show along with tweets, so if you're not into tweeting you can just listen) with Kate Tilton who works with Bibliocrunch--a one-stop-shop website that connects Indies with editors, artists, distributors and more. 

You can join the conversation (or just follow it) on Twitter using the #NALitChat hashtag. Should be a lot of fun with tons of information shared.

Keeping in mind this is based off of my experiences and research, that the cost estimates are intentionally broad, and that your mileage may vary, let's get to it!

Step 1 - Writing

As I mentioned before, I'm going to assume you actually want/like to write and aren't going to hire a ghostwriter to do it for you. Furthermore, I know nothing about ghostwriting, so we'll move right along...

Step 2 - Editing

Why you should hire it out - Okay, the distinction needs to be made up front: Professional editing is different than having beta readers and critique partners. You need those, too! But a professional editor is the next step. This person will be paid (and handsomely--we'll get to that) to scour your manuscript and make that sucker sparkle. 

They don't get to pull the "my kids are insane demons", "the cat vomited on my computer", "OMG Walking Dead just started again!" excuses a beta gets to use. Why? Because they are on the clock, and their business reputation is at stake--just like yours. It's a magical relationship, really.

Can you have a tight manuscript without paying an independent editor to look at your work? Maybe. But can you guarantee that your critique partner wasn't distracted by life and possibly their own manuscript when they looked over yours? No. Furthermore, can you hold them accountable if they were? No. Free is free, and you don't get to bitch about it if they miss your comma splices and word spamming.

When to find an editor - The first thing to understand about editing is that there are different types and levels of editing. If your betas are ninjas and your critique partners omniscient, you might just need some proof/line editing (think typos, homonym screw-ups, etc.) or copy editing (think style, form, and presentation of the text). 

But let's just say your mom is your only/best beta reader and loves everything you do. THEN you might want to find someone to do some developmental editing (think BIG picture stuff like plotting, pacing, and character development) for you.

So, the type of help you need will dictate when you need to seek an editor out. If you've got a fairly raw draft, you'll want to find a developmental editor earlier on in the project. However, if you've got something pretty polished on your hands, you might wait until you're closer to the publishing point for a little more focused help.

In either case, keep in mind that editing takes time, and reputable editors book up sometimes a year in advance. But before you go all ants-in-pants on me, remember that quality matters. Good things are worth waiting for.

And don't assume they're too busy to help you. Always ask, because they sometimes have unexpected cancelations, etc.

How much is it going to set you back - This will likely be the most expensive thing you outsource. It's also probably the most important. Basically, if you can only spend your money in one place, put it here. 

All the marketing, fabulous covers, and glitz in the world aren't going to cover up sloppy writing. Yes, I know (Insert Horribly Written Book Title Here) sold a billion copies, but yours won't. Trust me. 

Expect to pay $250-$2,500 depending on the length of the work (most charge by the word) and the type of editing you need. Developmental tends to cost more because it takes more of the editor's time and more interaction with the author. If they are a busy and well-established editor, probably on the high side of that estimate for a novel.


Considerations - Always shop around, talk to customers, read testimonials, and carry a cross and rabbits foot with you. Then, make sure they give you a sample of what to expect from their editorial feedback, demonstrated on YOUR work. It shouldn't take more than a few pages to see if they know what they're talking about, and if you'll be able to work with them.


Resources - Check sites like Predators & Editors and popular writing forums like Absolute Write for the skinny on specific editors. And definitely ask your writing friends. Word spreads quickly in writing circles.


Bottom Line - Do your homework before giving anyone your money.

Step 3 - 
Covers

Why you should hire it out - Look, some people just don't have an eye for visual esthetics. That's cool! But when it comes to the cover of your baby, don't pretend. A rocking cover is very important to the overall package of your work, and as an Indie author it's maybe your best weapon in the fight to get noticed amidst the see of traditionally published books out there.

And be honest with yourself: If you don't have a clue what pixel count is, you have no business doing your own book covers in the digital age. 

When to hire a cover artist - This one is really up to you. Some writers like to have the cover in front of them as they draft for inspiration. Others don't want to think about a cover until the book is almost ready for the presses.

Whenever you decide to contact a cover designer, just be sure to have a reasonable grasp on the basic elements you want included in your design. Keeping in mind that most cover designers will not be reading your manuscript cover-to-cover, they're going to rely heavily on your vision and synopsis of the work.

A cover can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to complete depending upon the type of work being done and how many 'revision cycles' you go through. 

How much is it going to set you back - $75-$1,000 This will vary greatly upon the considerations listed below, and the amount of work you're requiring of the artist you're hiring. Some charge by the hour, others by the project, so be sure to ask upfront.

Also, be aware of how many feedback/revision cycles the cover artist will give you. (Usually listed in their terms.) Typically, the more you pay, the more say you're going to have. If someone is putting together a $50 cover for you from stock images that already exist, don't expect them to change the eyebrow color of the models fifteen times.

Lastly, look for bargains! New design studios are popping up every day, and the new ones sometimes offer a good discount to help build up their clientele. Ask for sample covers, and if you like what you see, give 'em a shot.


Considerations - Do you want something illustrated--an original? Do you want to use people (models) on your cover? Are stock/public images okay? All of these things will likely impact price. So keep the variables in mind. Simpler concepts usually = less money.


Again, don't assume the cover designer is going to read your novel. In fact, many do not. They rely heavily on the author to give them the details they need to convey an entire book in a single image. Not easy to do, so it's important to find a cover designer you can work with, and who can quickly share your vision for the story.



Resources - You can find tons of cover artist with a simple Google search, and you can also check this Goodreads list. Here's a nice blog post on finding and working with cover artists.


Also, many talented authors are talented cover designers as well. So ask your writerly friends! Here, here, and here are a few of mine who do covers. :)

Bottom Line - An effective, nicely designed cover doesn't have to cost a fortune, but it might take someone with a little know-how to get it done.
____

That's it for part two! Be sure to keep an eye out for the final installment where I'll talk about formatting, distributing, and marketing.

Do any of you have experiences outsourcing to publishing professionals? Any tips to share in the comments? Did I leave anything out?

Also, be sure to add your business/service title and a website to the link list below if you're providing some of the services we've talked about. You never know who might stumble across this. :)

~EJW~

Indie Life - Outsourcing Pt. 1 of 3

Hey, gang! Today I'm posting as part of the Indie Life blog group. Basically, it's a collection of independent publishing professionals who share their tips, thoughts, and trials on the second Wednesday of every month.

For more information on the group, and to learn how you can take part, click HERE.

Outsourcing Pt. 1 of 3 - Identifying the Steps to Publishing Independently

Indie Life lesson numero uno ought to be: When you hit 'PUBLISH' with a price tag associated with whatever you're publishing, you're no longer just a writer or just an author, you're a publishing professional. Moreover, you're also a small business owner. 

Your business is writing, and then publishing that writing. It's that simple... 

*throws head back and cackles maniacally* I'm totally kidding! It's SO not that simple.

There are like a bajillion steps in between those two things, and a bajillion more after. For the sake of not getting bogged down in minutia and/or triggering a nervous twitch, today we're going to take a look at the broad checklist for publishing your own work.

These are the big-picture, guidepost things that you can tack to your office wall and work your way through--or at least know you'll have to address them at some point. 

But before we do, I want you to promise to shout these words infomercial-style after you read about each of these steps: QUALITY MATTERS! Got it? Good, let's get to it!

1. Write - Simple in theory, but the Devil is in the details as they say. So make sure you do all the things those books on writing, critique partners, and teachers tell you to do to not suck at it. When you're pretty sure you don't suck, move to step two.

"Quality matters!"

2. Edit - You're writing MUST be edited. And I don't mean your sister reads it and squeals at the kissy scenes. You cannot consider yourself a publishing professional unless you do a little quality control on your product. People aren't paying to read your misspelled words, runons, cliches, etc. Well, they might be paying for it, but they'll be pissed about it afterwards. You've been warned.

"Quality matters!"

3. Cover - Every book distributor (see - 5) I know of requires a cover image to be uploaded before you can publish. The catch is that other than basic resolution requirements, there's no rule to say it can't be a really crappy cover. So there's some judgement to be made here.

"Quality matters!"

4. Formatting - Whether you plan to publish your book electronically, in print, or both, some formatting must occur. Now, this can sometimes be done by "massaging" a Word document, and it can also be done by myriad other methods (learning some HTML, becoming a wizard, etc.) Basically, all those awful images conjured by the expression "many ways to skin a cat" should be springing to mind now. You're welcome. :)

"Quality matters!"

5. Distributing - Once steps 1 - 4 are completed in some order (4 might be slightly reliant on 5 btw), you need to upload your book to Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the Oracle (totally made that one up)--wherever. The point is, until you give your book to retailers, readers won't be able to buy and read it--which is kind of the point of this little rat race of ours.

"Quality matters!"

6. Marketing - This technically can--and probably should--start before now, but especially after you've published your book. You need to figure out a way to let readers know it exists. 

Oh, and the days of being able to shuck your britches and run through the town square shouting your author name, book title, and genre are long past. Well, you can still do that, and if someone uploads a video of you doing so to YouTube it might even work. But you'll most certainly also spend some time in jail. Plus, there are easier ways, which I'll get to.

"Quality matters!"

*squints* Yep, I think that about covers it. Now, if you've actually done this Indie thing, you're probably flapping your arms up and down saying, "But, E.J.! You didn't tell them about the snuffles, the blithertoos, and the jumbles. And you definitely left out the bandysnatch, the widdersnaps, and the scuffles!" (You all speak like Dr. Seuss in my imagination... just go with it.)

I haven't forgotten at all! It's just that it would take SOOO much time to go into the detail of each of those steps, and Good Blogging Digest says I should keep this to around 500 words. (Completely disregard every other way I defy the rules in Good Blogging Digest...)

So, if I might, I'd like to offer you a simpler solution: Outsource it. Let someone else do the work.

Most small businesses are small for a reason. It's because they don't, and can't, do everything at an efficient or practical level. They aren't Amazon, Walmart, or Huge Corporation X with the stupid amounts of money needed to control every aspect of running a business. So they assess things they can do, and the things they can't, and then turn those can't things over to those who can.

Independent authors are no different. In fact, Steps 2 - 6 above can all be outsourced. Heck, you can probably even outsource 1, but we'll pretend you actually want to be a writer and not just call yourself one. Personally, I've had to pick and choose the things I've outsourced, so you can definitely do the buffet approach. 

Maybe you're not made of money, and that's okay. There are lots of places and people who do some of these things on the cheap--and aren't bad at it to boot.

Yes, almost all of the items on that list can be learned with enough time and perseverance. (I'm going to rule out editing... please don't self-edit. Especially at the copyediting stages.) HOWEVER, always keep in mind that as a small business owner, your time = $$$. And depending upon your knowledge base going in, it can take a LOT of time to learn these things. 

Remembering always that quality matters!, and that time = $$$, be brutally honest with yourself about what you can and can't do. 

Done that? Great! Hope you'll come back for part 2 of my outsourcing discussion. I'll go into detail on what to look for, where to find it, and how much you can expect to pay.

~EJW~

Tweetables

"When you hit PUBLISH you're no longer just a writer or an author, you're a publishing professional."  Click to tweet.

"-quality matters and time = $, so be honest with yourself about what you can and can't do." #IndieLife Click to tweet.

"You cannot consider yourself a publishing professional unless you do a little quality control on your product." Click to tweet.