Traditional, boutique, hybrid, indie or self-publishing — so many options for the aspiring author to choose from (or resort to). And while a majority seek the validation of their work being acquired by one of the constantly consolidating Big Five houses, the fact is the Big Five are far more confidant in the likely profits to be made from legacy and celebrity authors, so-called “influencers” and politicos, those with demonstrably impressive platforms or “branding,” than they are on unknowns. That’s why it’s so often so hard to break in; among the many reasons so many today elect to choose a different path.
“Talking Truth to Publishing” will discuss these changing times and options for writers in search of publication. All are welcome to join in and add to this conversation about which routes they’re considering (or have chosen) to get work published, from self-published to traditional and everything in-between.
If knowledge is power, we hope this session will offer and/or add to the knowledge you have already acquired about the publishing process. We ask that writers check egos at the door so we can “talk turkey” about the myriad options across the publishing spectrum, navigating them and avoiding pitfalls, finding solutions to overcome obstacles beforehand, and choosing the best path forward to publish your book successfully.
Please come prepared to share your experiences, or what you’re considering. That includes:
- Editorial input offered by these platforms
- Distribution via the platform
- The costs accrued
- Marketing offered by platforms
.
For those with literary agents, be prepared to share:
- The time spent searching for agents
- The time it took your agent to sell
- Publisher’s editorial input, marketing and distribution
- Financial investment made (or will make) to get your book in the hands of readers
Staffed by Marla Miller
MARLA MILLER is an author and freelance editor. She wrote for the OC Register’s lifestyle magazine for 16 years before becoming founding editor-in-chief of an O.C. coastal lifestyle magazine. Her first book, All American Girls, the only authorized biography of the iconic World Cup/Gold Medal winning U.S Women’s National Soccer Team, was published by Simon & Schuster in 1999, and her sports oriented columns appeared in Oxygen.com. Marla launched MarketingtheMuse Workshops in 2003, motivated by her recognition that most traditionally published authors receive little help from “big house” marketing departments. Her experience in the entrepreneurial author movement includes “with author” bylines for two indie books, The Booty Bible and Decode the Black Box of Group Health Insurance, along with her own Days Gone By and first e-novel, Deadly Little Secrets, published under MarketingtheMuse Publications. MarlaMiller.com is a resource center for writers with emphasis on marketing information in publishing/epublishing.