Sleepytown Press

My June issue came this week. This, if you did not already know, is my favorite Writing Mag. I also enjoy going to the web site and getting lots of extra stuff. In the past, I would go to buy from the local book store an issue at the time, but I decided that saving money by subscribing was the best way to go.

Here is a quick "overview" of the topics covered in the June Issue:

"Why Editors Say YES or NO"
Top 20 Reasons For Acceptance Or Rejection
"Tips on creating an interactive Book App."
"The Writer List of the 25 Great Beach Reads"
"Declutter Your Writing Space In 2 Days"
"How to fit poems into a collection"
...and more.

Right after posting this, I am going to read the article titled "How I Published An Interactive Children's Story." The author is sharing her process-tips- for creating a fun book app.

*If you have "the Writer," let me hear from you. What do you like about it and what do you wish they would add to their magazine?

Poor Writing

Writers are poor copy editors. The reading public will forgive some errors, but not many. (It is like buying a car and discovering that there is not a spare.) Your readers deserve your talents and a perfect read. YOU MUST EDIT YOUR WORK!

One thing that keeps the stigma of poor quality on self-published books is that Indie Authors make mistakes. It is best to have someone edit your writing. Maybe you know someone who is really good at the use of the English language and they will do it for a box of chocolates and a FREE signed book. (There are editors that do a very good job, but they do charge a fee.) (By the way, the big companies put out books with mistakes, too.)

 You write – revise – copy edit – proof – repeat, if needed. Do Not write while you try to edit your own work.

 Punctuation, Spelling, Typographical Mistakes. (Unprofessional Looking)

 Consider: Flow and thought. A disorganized book is hard to read. 

 Bad Editing, Formating, and Layout can kill a book.

 Sales can be affected by a bad cover and a bad title. (Check other books. See what you like. What attracts you to a book?)

 Lack of Promotion, Marketing, and Distribution

 How will you sell a book, if no one knows it exists? You have to make a plan! Make sure you target the book to an audience. (Internet: Web Site, Facebook, Twitter, and etc.)

 You must maximize opportunities for potential readers to be able to get to know you and your book.

 Are all self-published books below standard? NO, this is a myth.

 Publishers today are wary of taking on new authors because of the fear of losing money. Writers, who are passionate for their craft, want to see their work in print.

 The benefits of self-publishing:

1. Full Control: It is your book and you have control. You want to create a high quality piece.
2. Increased income: Traditional Publishing brings an average return of maybe 10% from each book sold. (I had a craft book published traditionally, several years ago. It was a book about creating with Paper Ribbon. That Paper Ribbon Book: Profit over the life of the book, maybe $1,000) I have nothing to show for it because I did not save the money they sent to me. I was happy spending it.
3. Pride: There is nothing like holding a fresh, new book in your hands and knowing that it is your book. When people make over the book, your smile gets bigger.
4. Freedom to Sell as you wish: Some publishers do not allow the author to sell their own book. Those authors do not sell their book at book-signings and keep the money. All they can do is direct people to book stores or display tables. Some publishers do not allow you to sell your book on your own web site.

Sleepytown Press does allow you to sell your own book on your web site and at book signings and wherever you go.      

      There is a special feeling of being able to sell and sign your own book. it is amazing.

      (The hardest part of self-publishing is Marketing.) Even tradition published Authors have to market their books. You must be rich or very famous to have a publishing company put a lot of money into marketing you and your book.