What I’ve learned about the book business over the past six years could fill a book. Oh, maybe I’ll do that! But first I will dedicate my blog to breaking down the business as I have experienced it. It hasn’t been easy, and it has cost me a lot of money, but I feel as though I have a pretty good understanding of the ins and outs of the industry as it pertains to me. And most of it isn’t about writing. It’s about production and marketing.
Here’s a laundry list of topics I’ll be writing about:
- What do you want to write?
- Fiction/Non-Fiction, Genres
- One-off, series, career?
- Who is your audience?
- Before it goes to press
- Writing
- Editing
- Developmental
- Line
- Copy
- Proof
- Deciding to Publish
- Agent/Publisher Route
- Revenue streams
- View yourself as a product
- Time
- Hybrid Route
- Self-Publish
- Going it on your own
- Self-Publishing
- Most Popular Alternatives
- KDP Amazon
- IngramSparks
- Bookmobile
- Most Popular Alternatives
- Selling the Book
- Products
- The Book
- The Author
- Price
- Production
- Hardback
- Paperback
- Audio
- Ebook
- Placement
- Online
- In stores
- Promotion
- Getting the word out
- Price Promotions
- Author appearances/book signings
- Continuous drip marketing
- Joint marketing
- Avenues: electronic, mailings, magazines…
- What is your measurement of success?
- Numbers
- Number of books sold
- Number of $$ generated
- Personal
- Bucket List
- Resources
- Fiverr.com
- The Loft, Minneapolis
- Jane Friedman
- Other writers
- Facebook groups
- Writing groups
I’m sure as I progress into this venture, more topics will pop up, and as is the nature of the world today, things will change, and some of my work will be obsolete before it hits the pages. I have learned not to stress over the small stuff; if nothing else, the work will become a documentary of the experiences I have had over the course of the past six years.
Let me know in the comments if there are topics or questions you’d like me to address.
One thing is for sure, I thought I would have written more than I have! The process takes longer than I imagined, and I am hoping as I move along the learning curve, it will become easier, and I will write and publish more!
It’s been a wild ride, and I’m glad you’ll be joining me for part of the journey.
ELAINE KOYAMA WRITES 
This is wonderful Elaine–I do think there is a book in all of us….where to start and breaking down the steps would decrease barriers. Hearing about the realities of publishing and what you have learned about self publishing and marketing would be very invaluable.
Is a “family biography” a separate genre from autobiography? Pro’s and cons of doing a “historical fiction” vs a “family biography?” A workshop on researching family history and the cultural components could be a workshop in itself?
LikeLike
I did a lot of research that I should add as a category tho technically it’s not part of publishing except perhaps bibliography stuff. Thanks for your comments!
LikeLike
I know you are a continuous learner. Thanks for being willing to share your experience. Your outline has already shared something of what you have learned in the topics you have chosen to discuss.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your family history work could easily become a book. All those posts to Facebook group could be compiled for a book. You never know, a book can be for a small or large family audience. And would be a great coffee table item.
LikeLike