Rod Stewart’s lyric licked it best, “Every picture tells a story, don’t it?” Me likes to think, at least in the writing world, “Every person IS a story, idn’t it, if not a volume?” But where and how to publish that story is the challenge. There’s been big changes in the traditional publishing world over the recent past, with more coming. In fact, we’ve reached an interesting crossroad, with so many paths to publication available: TradPub, Indie, Boutique, or the inevitable Hybrid alternative. A startling number of writers we’ve spoken to are contemplating eschewing TradPub altogether, electing instead self- or hybrid; so many so that we need to be clear: If you pay to be published, 1) You’re not traditionally published, regardless what they tell you (trad-pubs pay you to publish your books); 2) You’re likely not going to recoup the money you spend to have them print your book, let alone make a profit. They will, because you paid them in advance.
So figure, what’s your story worth? Your legacy? We’ll address this hardcore in February because your work is an investment. You need to be sufficiently compensated for it. As we like to say: There is no single right way to publish a book; only an infinite number of wrong ways. This February, allow us to help find your best way.
Where We’re At
Book marketing expert and online book publicity pioneer Fauzia Burk will be joining us as Sunday afternoon’s Special Guest Speaker. The founder and president of FSB Associates, she has spent more than 25 years publicizing books by bestselling authors such as Alan Alda, Arianna Huffington, Deepak Chopra, Sonya Renee Taylor, Ken Blanchard, Charles Spencer, as well as many first-time authors. In 2019, she co-founded Pub Site, a platform for building author websites and used by authors such as Tom Clancy, Robin Cook, and hundreds more. Fauzia now leverages her rich background at the intersection of publishing and technology to innovate book marketing through AI.
Also, while we introduced many new sessions this past September in Irvine, even more will debut in San Diego. Necessarily so. Check out the Workshops & Events page to keep up to speed as we continue updating the program.
Novel Boot Camp
Bestselling novelist Janis Thomas returns to San Diego with her exclusive eight-part Novel Boot Camp. It’s been infinitely beneficial to a slew of SCWCers who’ve done the deep dive with her. There are a limited number of seats available, so be sure to email me directly to get in before too late. (There will be a waiting list.)
Good “Muse”
SCWCers with books recently out: Indy Quillen’s latest Fox Walker novel, Conflicted … Writing as M.G. Wetherholt, Gayle Carline introduces readers to a new cozy animal mystery, Paws on the Pier … Thomas M. Wing’s Against All Enemies, recent winner of the Firebird Award for Best Military Fiction.
David Putnam’s A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun, the second in his new Bone Detective series … Anthony and Shamus Award-winning Matt Coyle’s tenth in his celebrated Rick Cahill P.I. series, Odyssey’s End … And from bestseller Gene Desrochers, the third in his hardboiled noir Boise Montague mysteries, Crime Paradise, along with The West Indian Manner, featuring two short stories focused on his sun-soaked sleuth.
Best of success to all.
Extended Discount Deadline
Because of myriad technical issues as of late, we’re running about three weeks behind on staff, workshops and schedule updates. Consequently, we’ve extended the Full Conference participation discount to January 1. Perfect for Christmastime. Advance Submission Readers are now open. More will be added. Register today and save!
–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC
